PSG go for three in a row as Champions League returns

Paris St-Germain (PSG) aims to win their third consecutive Champions League title as the competition resumes this week. Last season, PSG successfully defended their trophy by beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, marking their first-ever title win. The French club, led by manager Luis Enrique, has previously achieved a two-year back-to-back back-to-back victory, a feat only accomplished by Real Madrid since the modern Champions League began in 1992.

Three consecutive wins would place PSG in an elite group alongside Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-76).

The modern Champions League format includes 36 teams in the league phase, with eight games played against eight different opponents. PSG, however, has struggled in the league phase over the past two seasons, finishing outside the top eight and having to go through a play-off round to reach the knockout stage. They will face familiar opponents like Manchester City, Barcelona, and Aston Villa in this year's competition.

The financial strength of the Premier League means that all of its representatives are expected to make a strong showing, with Arsenal chief among them. Last season, Arsenal topped the league phase with a perfect record but struggled in the knockout rounds, losing in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finally the final. PSG's next match is away to Napoli, and they will face tough competition from English clubs Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Aston Villa. Other notable teams include Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, and Inter Milan.

Although clubs like Porto (2004) and Viking Stavanger (2015) have won the Champions League in the past 30 years, it remains a rare achievement. New clubs like Sabah, who started their first Champions League campaign after winning titles in Norway and Azerbaijan, will add freshness to the competition. However, the prospect of a team other than Europe's super clubs winning the Champions League seems increasingly unlikely.