Champions League underdogs that can spring a surprise this season

With the battle lines drawn prior to the start of the new UEFA Champions League season, there has been a lot of talk about the fortunes of the big teams and how they will fare this time around. But while the 32 teams participating in the group stages of the competition feature of a host of big names, there also remain a couple of surprise teams every season that surprise many to reach the knockout rounds of the competition.

Keeping that in mind, here is a look at teams that could manage to reach the latter stages of the competition despite not having the spotlight on them.

To check the list of 5 teams that went on great giant-killing runs, click here.

1. Real Sociedad

They might have been placed in the fourth pot during the Champions League draw, but Real Sociedad certainly have been showing recently that they are worthy of a much-higher placing.

Led by new manager Jagoba Arrasate, Sociedad will meet Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayer Leverkusen in Group A on their return to Europe after 10 years. Going by the stature of the clubs they will be facing, along with their long European exile, it would look near impossible for Sociedad to be able to get through to the Round of 16 from their group.

However, in Manchester United, they face a big team that in recent weeks has been struggling for form and fluency in their domestic league, and will constantly be considering a player-rotation strategy to keep their men fit for what could be a long season ahead. Goals have been hard to find for the English club away from their strikeforce, while their wingplay, one of their traditional strengths, has looked impotent for a while now. Furthermore, the Red Devils do not have a favourable record in Spain, something that the Basque side will be looking to take advantage of.

Shakhtar Donetsk have been a strong force in the Champions League in recent years, but have in the recent seasons seen an exodus of players, with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Fernandinho, and Willian all leaving the club for greener pastures. While they still remain an exciting, attacking team, they are by no means beyond breach.

Their games against Bayer Leverkusen however, who themselves are currently running high on confidence and form, could be the deciders, matches that the Spanish outfit will have to make the most of to qualify for the knockout rounds.

The road might be tough, but Sociedad’s debut Champions League experience might not necessarily end before the knockout rounds.