Most Dominant Nations in the Champions League

We can find three English, two German but only one Spanish team in the last eight teams of the 2020-21 Champions League season. It is slightly surprising as Spain has been dominating the tournament recently. But at least they still have the record-winner Real Madrid in the competition. Beside Spain we can find all other top-tier countries in the most dominant nations in the Champions League, as you can see them below. 

The Champions League or as it was named before, the European Cup has been held since 1955 so it has had a winner 65 occasions so far. Real Madrid have the most wins with 13, followed by Milan, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. As we can already see from this list, the teams of the top leagues have been dominating the competition since its beginning. It might be surprising that the current world cup winner France has only one title thanks to Olympique Marseille. Just like Yugoslavia, Romania and Scotland which have also got one victory so far. In the last ten years of the Champions League we can only find winners from the football powers. But these nations also dominate in the knockout stage where only a few teams from smaller countries have managed to go through.

Spain leads the list of the most dominant nations in the Champions League

Spanish clubs have won the Champions League 18 times so far. They also ended up as runners-up 11 more occasions. The country can thank this result mostly to the two giant clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona who won 13 and 5 titles since 1955. We also have to mention Atletico Madrid and Valencia who also reached the finals a couple of times. But Real are the most successful club in the tournament’s history since the beginning. The Los Blancos won the first five seasons between 1955 and 1960 with the lead of Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. Then in the modern era Real have become a top team again and won the CL three times between 1998 and 2002. With superstars like David Beckham, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane. Who led the team to their most recent victories as a manager in the last decade.

FC Barcelona won their first title in 1992 under the lead of their former player, Johan Cruyff. Then his former player, Pep Guardiola made an unbeatable team from Barca at the end of the 2000s. He won the cup twice in three years. His legacy and success was followed by another legend of the club, Luis Enrique who also captured the title in 2015. Since then though the club has been struggling, this season they haven’t even reached the quarter-finals. Real are still in the competition with online sportsbooks in Spain offering the odds of 11.00 for their final victory. But with only one Spanish team in the last eight, looks like their dominance is over for now.

England is the second most successful nation

The home of football, England has also provided several champions in the tournament. The biggest English clubs have won 13 times besides finishing as a runner-up 9 more occasions. Liverpool have the most, 6 victories followed by Manchester United. But even Nottingham Forest won the tournament twice in 1979 and 1980. Chelsea and Aston Villa also got one title. While Leeds United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur featured in the final once but suffered a defeat there.

The first English success was achieved in 1968 by Manchester United who won against Benfica in the European Cup final. The team had legendary players like Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best. Then their big rival, Liverpool became hugely successful in the tournament. The club managed to win four times between 1977 and 1984. The Red Devils won the first title again in the renamed cup, in the Champions League.  Sir Alex Ferguson’s team defeated Bayern Munich in 1999, in one of the most memorable finals. While the Reds got the last English success two years ago in an all-English final against Spurs. This season three teams can still go for the title. With Guardiola’s Manchester City being the top favorite by online gambling sites in Spain.

Italy and Germany follow the leaders

Italian clubs haven’t been too successful in the Champions League in recent times. But they have been dominating the tournament in previous decades. The two Milan clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan have both won twice in the 1960s. With Juventus joining the winners in 1985. These three top clubs got more wins later as well. While the last Italian victory was achieved by Inter in 2010. Though Juve was very close to the trophy on several occasions, they always had to settle with the second place. Looks like even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t help them as the team was surprisingly knocked out by Porto this week. The Portuguese team has already managed to be an underdog favorite in 2004. As you can read more about it in our article.

Certainly Germany also belongs to the most dominant nations in the Champions League with their 8 titles. Still, it feels like their number could be more if we consider their national team’s results. Probably it’s not a huge news that Bayern Munich are the most successful German club with 6 titles and 5 runner-up finishes. The defending champions won three times in the 1970s, then in 2001 and 2013 before their latest success. But no other club can really get to the level of Bayern either in the Bundesliga or in the national competitions. As only Hamburger and Borussia Dortmund could win once in the Champions League. There is a huge chance now though for another Bayern title according to the bookmakers. While Dortmund’s victory is not very likely even though they knocked out Sevilla in the last 16.

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