The Champions League is often seen as a stage for dreams, turning fantasies into realities and creating legends. However, for clubs like Dinamo Zagreb, Red Bull Salzburg, Celtic, Red Star Belgrade, Slovan Bratislava, and Young Boys, the competition has become a source of anxiety, as they repeatedly find themselves overwhelmed.
As these teams gear up for Matchday Three, there is a sense of trepidation among their supporters. These clubs have historically dominated their domestic leagues, racking up impressive win percentages year after year—up to 84% for Red Star last season. Over the past seven seasons, they collectively claimed 38 out of a possible 42 league titles, with Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade winning all the championships available in Croatia and Serbia, respectively.
Despite their domestic success, the transition to European competition has been brutal. In the opening two rounds of this season’s Champions League, these six teams managed to score just 12 goals while conceding a staggering 49, resulting in a combined goal difference of -37 across 12 matches.
The financial disparity makes it increasingly difficult for these clubs to compete. For instance, Slovan Bratislava’s total expenditure on new signings over the past three seasons is just £2.6 million, with an overall squad value of approximately £24 million. In stark contrast, Manchester City has spent £365 million just in the past three years, with their squad valued at over £1 billion—over 43 times that of Slovan.
In their recent matchup, Slovan’s odds of winning at home against City were 40/1. Though they dominate domestically, their limited budget pales in comparison to elite clubs. Slovan’s manager, Vladimir Weiss, expressed the enormity of playing against a team like Manchester City, but the match ended predictably; City dominated with 28 shots and four goals, leaving Slovan without a single shot on target.
Many fans share a similar sentiment, appreciating the mere opportunity to compete in such prestigious matches. Tomas, a Slovan supporter, noted the success of qualifying as a significant achievement, emphasizing that even though they are likely to lose, these experiences serve as lessons for the players and a chance to generate revenue.
Salzburg has also faced challenges under new management. Their disappointing performances in the group stage, including recent defeats of 3-0 and 4-0, have raised concerns. Manager Pep Lijnders took full responsibility and acknowledged that the team possesses enough quality to perform better.
Young Boys, facing similar frustrations, find themselves at the bottom of the group table, having recently terminated their manager after dismal results. Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb, after suffering a record loss to Bayern Munich, fired their coach and managed a draw against Monaco under new leadership.
Celtic, a club known for its Champions League pedigree, has also struggled on the road. Their recent performances highlight a stark contrast between their home and away games, with away matches revealing a troubling trend of heavy defeats. Despite the historic successes at Celtic Park, their away record remains dismal.
Overall, this season has marked a notable imbalance in the Champions League, with some clubs experiencing heavy defeats. The average margin of victory is currently at 2.57 goals, indicating one of the most one-sided editions in history. As the competition expands, teams with lesser financial muscle face greater challenges, leading to fears rather than excitement for many fans of these so-called ‘minnow’ clubs.