The Champions League underwent a major revamp last summer, and the new-look format promised more unpredictability with its Swiss-style format—so far, it has delivered in dramatic fashion.
With every team facing a diverse set of opponents in the single league phase, surprises have been inevitable—whether it’s underdogs in the Champions League winner odds toppling European giants or unexpected runs into the knockouts from the likes of Celtic, Brest and Club Brugge.
As the competition continues to unfold and the final starts to appear on the horizon, we’ve already witnessed results that have defied expectations. Read on, as we take a look at the biggest shocks of the tournament thus far.
Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich – Matchday 2
Aston Villa fans had been starved of Champions League football since their run to the quarter-finals in 1984 when they lost to Juventus, but their return to the big stage has proven worth the wait.
The Midlands side faced giants Bayern Munich in their first game back under the lights at Villa Park on matchday two—and stunned the Germans with a 1-0 win.
Pau Torres appeared to give the hosts the lead in the first half, but VAR ruled the defender’s goal out for offside.
However, Jhon Duran made the breakthrough with just over 10 minutes to go—sending the home fans into delirium.
Atletico Madrid 1-3 Lille – Matchday 3
On matchday three, French outfit Lille upset Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid with a 3-1 win at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Having already beaten Real Madrid at home in the previous set of fixtures, Bruno Genesio’s men scalped the other half of the Spanish capital in scintillating fashion.
Julian Alvarez gave Atleti an early lead, which they maintained for the first hour of the fixture. However, a strike from Edon Zhegrova and a double from Jonathan David turned the tie on its head.
Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan – Matchday 4
Another result that sent shockwaves through Madrid, AC Milan left the Santiago Bernabeu with a 3-1 win on matchday four.
While Milan are a European powerhouse in their own right, the Italians aren’t the side they once were and were as big as 6/1 to beat Madrid in the football betting.
Malick Thiaw gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute, and Alvaro Morata restored their lead just before half-time after a Vinicius Junior penalty.
A Tijjani Reijnders goal with just over 15 minutes to go put the game out of reach for Carlo Ancelotti’s men on another disappointing European night for Los Blancos.
Feyenoord 3-0 Bayern Munich
Another side that benefitted from the new format, 1970 European champions Feyenoord, reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time this season.
A 3-3 draw with Manchester City was notable, but the 3-0 win over Bayern at the Philips Stadion will live long in the memory of the home fans.
Santiago Gimenez netted twice in the first half to give Feyenoord a comfortable cushion over Vincent Kompany’s side, and Ayase Ueda put the final nail in the coffin with a minute to spare.
Feyenoord went to beat AC Milan in the play-offs but were easily beaten by Inter Milan in the round of 16, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
