The Blaugrana come out on top in Goal’s analysis of the greatest clubs in the modern era of the European Cup competition
ANALYSIS
By Kris Voakes
Barcelona are the most successful club in the modern era of the Champions League, according to a Goal study.
The world’s biggest football website collated the yearly records of every club ever to qualify for the European Cup under its new banner since 1992 and found that the Catalan outfit pip AC Milan to the title of the greatest team in the greatest club competition in the world.
Using the Fibonacci points formula of ascending value, teams reaching the first stage of any one edition were given one point, those making the round of 16 gained two, quarter-finalists three, semi-finalists five, finalists earned eight and winners were allotted 13 points. And, over the course of the 21-year history of the new-style tournament, three-time winners Barca collected a total of 92 points compared to the Rossoneri’s 86.
Real Madrid come in just behind the pair with 85 points, meaning all
of the podium positions are taken up by clubs with three Champions
League wins to their name. Double winners Manchester United (1999 and
2008) and Bayern Munich (2001 and 2013) complete a star-studded top
five, with sixth-placed Juventus a full 23 points behind the current
holders, emphasising the superiority of the leading quintent.
Barcelona have been particularly boosted by their performances over
the past six seasons in Europe, with their victories in 2009 and 2011
helping them to record 46 points since 2007. Their first 46 points took
15 years to achieve, during which time Milan had racked up 75 points.
The Italian giants’ recent stuttering form on the continent has seen
their lead evaporate since their most recent triumph in Athens six years
ago.
While the likes of Ajax, Juve, Porto and Marseille may all have suffered somewhat in recent times, they remain in the top 20 thanks to their previous form in the Champions League. New superpowers, on the other hand, are nowhere to be seen. Paris Saint-Germain are placed 33rd with just one semi-final appearance in 1995 to their name, with fellow big-spenders Manchester City sitting joint-83rd having made it only as far as the group stage in their two efforts.
The Blaugrana’s presence at the top, together with Madrid’s placing of third, has tipped the scales towards Spain in the battle between the continent’s nations. Primera Liga clubs have tallied a combined 249 points since 1992, with even the likes of Mallorca, Real Betis and Real Sociedad having qualified for the event over the years.
Predictably, English clubs come in second with a total of 228 points, while Italy sits third in the rankings just 12 points further back. Bundesliga clubs are placed fourth, ahead of France in fifth. In Champions League history, a total of 152 clubs have made it past the qualifying stages, representing 38 different nations.
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ANALYSIS
By Kris Voakes
Barcelona are the most successful club in the modern era of the Champions League, according to a Goal study.
The world’s biggest football website collated the yearly records of every club ever to qualify for the European Cup under its new banner since 1992 and found that the Catalan outfit pip AC Milan to the title of the greatest team in the greatest club competition in the world.
Using the Fibonacci points formula of ascending value, teams reaching the first stage of any one edition were given one point, those making the round of 16 gained two, quarter-finalists three, semi-finalists five, finalists earned eight and winners were allotted 13 points. And, over the course of the 21-year history of the new-style tournament, three-time winners Barca collected a total of 92 points compared to the Rossoneri’s 86.
| TOP 20 | The Champions League’s greatest clubs |
| COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY STANDINGS | ||
1 2 3 4 5 |
Country SPAIN ENGLAND ITALY GERMANY FRANCE |
Points249 228 216 172 113 |
While the likes of Ajax, Juve, Porto and Marseille may all have suffered somewhat in recent times, they remain in the top 20 thanks to their previous form in the Champions League. New superpowers, on the other hand, are nowhere to be seen. Paris Saint-Germain are placed 33rd with just one semi-final appearance in 1995 to their name, with fellow big-spenders Manchester City sitting joint-83rd having made it only as far as the group stage in their two efforts.
The Blaugrana’s presence at the top, together with Madrid’s placing of third, has tipped the scales towards Spain in the battle between the continent’s nations. Primera Liga clubs have tallied a combined 249 points since 1992, with even the likes of Mallorca, Real Betis and Real Sociedad having qualified for the event over the years.
Predictably, English clubs come in second with a total of 228 points, while Italy sits third in the rankings just 12 points further back. Bundesliga clubs are placed fourth, ahead of France in fifth. In Champions League history, a total of 152 clubs have made it past the qualifying stages, representing 38 different nations.
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'Koke will be key for Spain & Atletico'
The 21-year-old’s Vicente Calderon captain, Gabi, was in a gushing
mood after the Madrid derby win, while David Villa branded the game
“unforgettable”
Atletico Madrid captain Gabi believes that Koke is on the road to becoming a key player for the club and for Spain.
The pair featured in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to the Colchoneros, in which Diego Costa’s goalscoring streak continued with an early strike which ultimately sealed the three points in the visitors’ favour.
“Costa is very important to the way we play,” Gabi told reporters.
“For his forward runs, his capacity to sacrifice [individual gains for the team], the delivery he puts on every ball, and how he holds the ball up in front of goal.
“Koke is going to be a fundamental player for Atletico and for the national team. He’s world class.”
Gabi also insisted that the players were convinced they could conquer Carlo Ancelotti’s men following last season’s Copa del Rey final win, despite not having beaten them in La Liga since 1999.
“We approached the derby in a different way to how we had done in the past,” the midfielder added.
“We knew it was possible to win at the Bernabeu after what we did in the Copa del Rey final, but also that they would be more attentive.
“Atletico played a 10 out of 10 game. This time we knew that a win was possible and that statistics are there to be broken.”
Vicente Calderon summer signing David Villa revealed his satisfaction with beating the Blancos – against whom he has battled on numerous occasions with Barcelona and Valencia in the past.
“My first Madrid derby was unforgettable!” he wrote on his official Twitter account. “The whole team were immense.”
Atletico Madrid captain Gabi believes that Koke is on the road to becoming a key player for the club and for Spain.
The pair featured in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to the Colchoneros, in which Diego Costa’s goalscoring streak continued with an early strike which ultimately sealed the three points in the visitors’ favour.
“Costa is very important to the way we play,” Gabi told reporters.
“For his forward runs, his capacity to sacrifice [individual gains for the team], the delivery he puts on every ball, and how he holds the ball up in front of goal.
“Koke is going to be a fundamental player for Atletico and for the national team. He’s world class.”
Gabi also insisted that the players were convinced they could conquer Carlo Ancelotti’s men following last season’s Copa del Rey final win, despite not having beaten them in La Liga since 1999.
“We approached the derby in a different way to how we had done in the past,” the midfielder added.
“We knew it was possible to win at the Bernabeu after what we did in the Copa del Rey final, but also that they would be more attentive.
“Atletico played a 10 out of 10 game. This time we knew that a win was possible and that statistics are there to be broken.”
Vicente Calderon summer signing David Villa revealed his satisfaction with beating the Blancos – against whom he has battled on numerous occasions with Barcelona and Valencia in the past.
“My first Madrid derby was unforgettable!” he wrote on his official Twitter account. “The whole team were immense.”
Bale eager to repay Real Madrid support
The Welshman made his home debut in the 1-0 defeat to Atletico
Madrid on Saturday but he is desperate to discover his best form for the
Santiago Bernabeu faithful
Gareth Bale says he is eager to improve at Real Madrid in order to repay the support from the Blancos faithful following his home debut on Sunday.
The €100 million Welshman came on as a second-half substitute in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, and while he acknowledges the “fantastic” reception he received, Bale is desperate to help his side get back to winning ways quickly.
“Playing at the Bernabeu was a fantastic experience, but the important thing would have been winning,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.
“It was a difficult match because they were well organised defensively and after the goal it was tough because of how they play. In the second half we kept trying, without success.
“I went on in the second half and I felt good but I have to improve. It was a fantastic experience and I have to play better every day to pay back that affection.
“We try to win every match and now we don’t feel good, but we have to think about the next match that we have on Wednesday [against Copenhagen]. Personally, I will be looking to play well and keep improving. I will prepare in the right way and try to help the team get the three points.”
Madrid’s clash with the Danish champions kicks off at 20:45CET on Wednesday.
Gareth Bale says he is eager to improve at Real Madrid in order to repay the support from the Blancos faithful following his home debut on Sunday.
The €100 million Welshman came on as a second-half substitute in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, and while he acknowledges the “fantastic” reception he received, Bale is desperate to help his side get back to winning ways quickly.
“Playing at the Bernabeu was a fantastic experience, but the important thing would have been winning,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.
“It was a difficult match because they were well organised defensively and after the goal it was tough because of how they play. In the second half we kept trying, without success.
“I went on in the second half and I felt good but I have to improve. It was a fantastic experience and I have to play better every day to pay back that affection.
“We try to win every match and now we don’t feel good, but we have to think about the next match that we have on Wednesday [against Copenhagen]. Personally, I will be looking to play well and keep improving. I will prepare in the right way and try to help the team get the three points.”
Madrid’s clash with the Danish champions kicks off at 20:45CET on Wednesday.
From Reggiana to Real – Ancelotti's first defeats
The Italian trainer is taking a lot of flak after Saturday’s derby
defeat, so Goal has decided to take a look at how long he’s remained
unbeaten at his previous six clubs
Carlo Ancelotti watched his Real Madrid side fall to a 1-0 defeat against city rivals Atletico on Saturday, his first reversal since arriving at the club.
The 54-year-old Italian is certainly no stranger to taking on a challenge in a new environment, with los Merengues having offered him his seventh head coaching role in a fourth different country, and the two-time Champions League-winning trainer knows full well that losing an unbeaten record is an inevitable part of the job.
Indeed, while it is still very early days in terms of Ancelotti’s Madrid reign, his debut seasons with his previous six sides offer some cause for optimism for Blancos fans currently feeling down in the dumps after their first Liga derby defeat in 14 years …
First league defeat: Second game, 2-0 away to Pistoiese
Ancelotti began his managerial career with Serie B side Reggiana in 1995. Despite a very early setback, the team from Reggio Emilia came fourth to secure promotion to the Italian top flight.
First league defeat: Fourth game, 2-1 away to Lazio
After leaving Reggiana, Ancelotti spent a year and a half at Parma, guiding the Gialloblu to a runners-up spot in his first season in charge and marking himself out as one of the top young coaches in Italy.
First league defeat: Seventh game, 1-0 away to Empoli
A string of poor results saw Marcelo Lippi dismissed as Bianconeri boss in February 1999. Ancelotti took the reigns but could only lead the Old Lady to seventh in the 1998-1999 season – despite a decent unbeaten start.
First league defeat: Fifth game, 1-0 away to Roma
With Fatih Terim sacked on 6 November 2001, Ancelotti was brought in to turn around Rossoneri fortunes. He did just that, with San Siro side ending up in fourth place before going on to bigger and better things.
First league defeat: Seventh game, 3-1 away to Wigan Athletic
Ancelotti enjoyed a dream debut season in West London, guiding the Blues to the Premier League title- their fourth and most recent English crown. Their shock loss at Wigan proved nothing more than a blip.
First league defeat: 11th game, 2-1 away to Nancy
Replacing Antoine Kombouare on 30 December 2011, Ancelotti guided les Parisiens through his first 10 games unbeaten but the capital club would ultimately have to settle for second best, having finished three points behind champions Montpellier. Still, PSG would go one better in Ancelotti’s second year at the helm.
Carlo Ancelotti watched his Real Madrid side fall to a 1-0 defeat against city rivals Atletico on Saturday, his first reversal since arriving at the club.
The 54-year-old Italian is certainly no stranger to taking on a challenge in a new environment, with los Merengues having offered him his seventh head coaching role in a fourth different country, and the two-time Champions League-winning trainer knows full well that losing an unbeaten record is an inevitable part of the job.
Indeed, while it is still very early days in terms of Ancelotti’s Madrid reign, his debut seasons with his previous six sides offer some cause for optimism for Blancos fans currently feeling down in the dumps after their first Liga derby defeat in 14 years …
First league defeat: Second game, 2-0 away to Pistoiese
Ancelotti began his managerial career with Serie B side Reggiana in 1995. Despite a very early setback, the team from Reggio Emilia came fourth to secure promotion to the Italian top flight.
First league defeat: Fourth game, 2-1 away to Lazio
After leaving Reggiana, Ancelotti spent a year and a half at Parma, guiding the Gialloblu to a runners-up spot in his first season in charge and marking himself out as one of the top young coaches in Italy.
First league defeat: Seventh game, 1-0 away to Empoli
A string of poor results saw Marcelo Lippi dismissed as Bianconeri boss in February 1999. Ancelotti took the reigns but could only lead the Old Lady to seventh in the 1998-1999 season – despite a decent unbeaten start.
First league defeat: Fifth game, 1-0 away to Roma
With Fatih Terim sacked on 6 November 2001, Ancelotti was brought in to turn around Rossoneri fortunes. He did just that, with San Siro side ending up in fourth place before going on to bigger and better things.
First league defeat: Seventh game, 3-1 away to Wigan Athletic
Ancelotti enjoyed a dream debut season in West London, guiding the Blues to the Premier League title- their fourth and most recent English crown. Their shock loss at Wigan proved nothing more than a blip.
| PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (2011-13) |
First league defeat: 11th game, 2-1 away to Nancy
Replacing Antoine Kombouare on 30 December 2011, Ancelotti guided les Parisiens through his first 10 games unbeaten but the capital club would ultimately have to settle for second best, having finished three points behind champions Montpellier. Still, PSG would go one better in Ancelotti’s second year at the helm.
Butragueno: Atletico were the better side
The 50-year-old congratulated los Blancos’ city rivals for ending
their 14-year derby hoodoo courtesy of a solitary strike from in-form
forward Diego Costa
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno was quick to acknowledge that Atletico Madrid had been good value for their 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
A lone strike from Diego Costa on the 11th minute proved sufficient to earn los Rojiblancos a first Liga win over their rivals since 1999.
“I have earned it,” Butragueno told Canal Plus. “They’ve been better. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, so you have to congratulate them.
“They scored on their first chance and from there we felt very uncomfortable. We had a few occasions where we could’ve drawn level and enjoyed some pride but, ultimately, they were better.
“Losing at home is very bad news. We have quality players and the team was not inspired. The team can play better, that’s for sure.”
Butragueno also praised Atletico boss Diego Simeone for a constructing a side that he feels must now be considered as genuine title contenders.
“They are a great team,” the former Spain international enhused. “Since joining, Simeone has done a fantastic job, and has made the team complete and solid in all aspects of the game.
“There is so much time and many months ahead. Atletico has a very solid block, very competitive and very hard to beat. Now they have proved it.”
Atletico are level on points at the top of the Liga standings with Barcelona, who have also won their first seven games of the new season.
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno was quick to acknowledge that Atletico Madrid had been good value for their 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
A lone strike from Diego Costa on the 11th minute proved sufficient to earn los Rojiblancos a first Liga win over their rivals since 1999.
“I have earned it,” Butragueno told Canal Plus. “They’ve been better. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, so you have to congratulate them.
“They scored on their first chance and from there we felt very uncomfortable. We had a few occasions where we could’ve drawn level and enjoyed some pride but, ultimately, they were better.
“Losing at home is very bad news. We have quality players and the team was not inspired. The team can play better, that’s for sure.”
Butragueno also praised Atletico boss Diego Simeone for a constructing a side that he feels must now be considered as genuine title contenders.
“They are a great team,” the former Spain international enhused. “Since joining, Simeone has done a fantastic job, and has made the team complete and solid in all aspects of the game.
“There is so much time and many months ahead. Atletico has a very solid block, very competitive and very hard to beat. Now they have proved it.”
Atletico are level on points at the top of the Liga standings with Barcelona, who have also won their first seven games of the new season.
