Luis Miguel Echegaray, ESPNJan 8, 2025, 05:02 AM ET
Ah, the New Year. It’s a time that comes with change and a willingness to write a new chapter with the hope of correcting errors from the past. It also offers us the perfect opportunity to predict the outcomes of unfinished stories, something that’s as true in life as it is in football.
In the next 12 months, therefore, there are many football stories worth keeping an eye on. From big-money transfers to hopeful winners in major competitions, here are some of my predictions in the men’s game for 2025.
Atalanta vs. Arsenal? The Champions League final will be a very unique one
There’s no doubt that the inaugural season of the new-look Champions League has given us many surprises. Last season’s champions Real Madrid are 20th out of the 36 teams, with only nine points to their name after six matchdays. Manchester City‘s problems are continental as well as domestic, as they find themselves in 22nd with eight points and even though it’s unlikely, it’s not completely out of the question to suggest they could fail to make the knockout playoffs. In fact, their next game against Paris Saint-Germain on Jan. 22 is massive as the French champions are 25th!
And this is what I have liked about this new format: The league phase schedule, where teams face a different opponent for every matchday, has enforced a higher sense of competitiveness, making the “bigger” teams work harder for points by needing to do their homework against revolving opposition. I think this mentality will continue in the round of 16 as a club’s league phase ranking determines the knockout path. So we have to look at the form and momentum.
Liverpool‘s focus on the Premier League title means they will lose attention in the latter stages of this tournament, allowing a club like Arsenal — with Bukayo Saka hopefully returning earlier than expected — push through to the final alongside my favorite team outside of the Premier League: Atalanta.
And that’s your final: a rematch dating back to matchday one of this season’s Champions league. Although, I am hoping that this one will be more exciting than than 0-0 draw.
Pulisic stays with AC Milan, but Pepi heads to the Premier League
Here’s something that most of us disregard when thinking about a player’s future: their happiness off the pitch actually impacts what happens on it. And here, Christian Pulisic is a perfect example.
The United States international has enjoyed a tremendous time with AC Milan since joining the Rossoneri from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. In 70 matches in all competitions, Pulisic has scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists. This season? Eight goals and six assists, making him the club leader in goal contributions. And I sincerely believe that all of this is because he is finally in a city and an environment that impacts him in a positive way.
