Fallen giants: The biggest flops of the 2024/25 UCL group stage

Although the UEFA Champions League group stage has long been a benchmark for evaluating the quality of elite teams, certain classic powerhouses shockingly lost their spark this season, and it is thus no overreach to describe their underperformance with the word “flopped.”

Under close examination of data and match outcomes, these so-called "powerhouses"—through tactic imbalance, key players turning spectators, and defensive line gaps—have displayed shockingly poor performance.

Manchester City

Manchester City, a frontrunner to win the Champions League in recent years, have had an absolutely dreadful group stage performance this season. Ranked 20th with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in 8 games, they accrued 11 points and a goal difference of +4. This outcome stands quite apart from the team's paper strength and billion-euro market value. 

Statistics highlight the core of the problem: the label of "ineffective possession" is becoming more and more apparent even with an average pass success rate of 92.1% (ranked second) and leading the league in possession rate and number of passes (an average of 606.9 passes per game). 

Haaland scored six goals on the offensive end, but he placed #1 on the "wasted opportunities" list with nine big chances missed and had only a 20.7% shot conversion rate, exposing a deficiency in his finishing skills.

Ironically, when comparing expected goals (xG 18.4) to expected goals against (xGA 11.2), especially in the context of a 4-1 crushing defeat to Sporting Lisbon, where their defence was totally torn apart by the opponent's quick counterattacks, Manchester City looks average. 

The 0-0 draw against Inter Milan further underlined their incapacity to break through a strong defence. This team, depending on passing and possession, looks to have lost its rhythm.

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain narrowly progressed with 13 points and a +5 goal differential, as several group stage losses exposed the weaknesses in their lineup. 

Although Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé has been a breath of fresh air with 4 goals and an assist, the team has often failed in pivotal games, as in the 1-2 loss to Atlético Madrid, when they were defeated by a stoppage-time goal despite scoring first and managed only three shots on target all game in the 0-1 loss to Bayern.

Even more atrocious is the defence, which, hidden behind the fourth rank average of 579.9 passes per game, are regular botchers. 

From a statistics standpoint, PSG's expected goals against (xGA 14.3) and actual goals against (9) seem strong, but rapid counterattacks often leave the young midfield useless, and despite Luis Enrique's best efforts, the chronic issue of being "top-heavy" is still unaddressed.

Juventus

Juventus barely advanced with 12 points, but the process was rife with controversy. They had three wins, three draws, and two losses in eight games with a goal difference of +2. With an average of 1.1 goals per game—the lowest among the elite teams—they scored just 9 goals. 

Vlahovič led the team with a paltry four goals, while the general shot conversion rate was poor. The Old Lady mustered 17 shots in the game against Benfica, with only 4 on target, as they lost 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium.

More ironically, Juventus have evolved into a "penalty-dependent" squad, as four penalties were awarded to them during the group stage, which roughly accounts for half of their overall goals.

But the approach of depending too much on set pieces proved ineffective in demanding games, such as in the 0-1 loss to Stuttgart, where the opponent totally dominated proceedings, restricting the Bianconeri to just one shot on target. 

Bayern Munich

Bayern's expected goals (xG) rank first, and their actual 20 goals seem to fulfil predictions, but the 9-2 annihilation of Dinamo Zagreb in a "stat-padding" opening encounter has hidden the problems.

Bayern regularly fails against really strong opponents, losing 0-1 to Aston Villa, despite 7 shots on target out of 17 attempts. 

Their trip to Spain further exacerbated this dilemma as Lewandowski turned on his former team in the 1-4 devastating loss to Barcelona, where Blaugrana's aggressive pressing splintered Bayern's attack. 

Though averaging 619.6 touches per game (first), with a passing accuracy of 89.6% (first), when confronted with rapid counterattacks, Upamecano's reckless tackles and Kim Min Jae's delayed retreats become ticking time bombs.

Despite remarkable stats, the "king of ball control" has instead become a "paper tiger" in close quarters confrontations.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid advanced with 15 points, but their 5 victories and 3 losses reflected a roller coaster record. Behind the +8 goal difference, the three defeats reveal challenges.

Los Blancos were overwhelmed by the opponent's youthful surge in their deflating 3-1 home loss to AC Milan, while Lookman's speed constantly broke through the defence in their marginal 3-2 triumph over Atalanta. 

Vinicius, with seven goals to help the front line, has been the shining light in this waning star team, as the void created by Benzema's departure is still unresolved, leaving the reigning champions dependent more on individual ability from the wings than on a unified system.

Though Real Madrid's "Champions League DNA" is still there, the difficulties of confederating this pack of Galacticos cannot be disregarded any longer.

Conclusion

The problems of these clubs are basically the outcome of roster imbalance and tactical rigidity. 

1. Manchester City is fixated on possession but lacks variation; 
2. Paris Saint-Germain is obsessed with quantity and neglects the team; 
3. Juventus depends on penalties, revealing a lack of creativity; 
4. Bayern's data bubble hides challenges in tough matches; and 
5. Real Madrid is caught in the rising pains of transitioning between old and new players. 

The Champions League stage never believes in glory; only those who keep up with the times can break through—perhaps the warnings of the group stage are the starting point for the restructuring of the titans.