UEFA Champions League: 5 UCL Underdogs Who Could Shock Europe's Big Guns

The UEFA Champions League throws up its fair share of mammoth showdowns.

This current campaign will see the likes of Chelsea and Juventus, Manchester City and Real Madrid, and Barcelona and Benfica face off.

But whilst Europe's best will certainly draw the attention of global audiences, what of the more unheralded teams?

Everyone loves a good underdog. Last time around, it was APOEL stunning the footballing world with the Cyprian side's against-the-odds march to the quarterfinals stage.

Here are five under-the-radar teams capable of shocking the big guns of Europe this season.

5. Anderlecht

The Belgian champions began their Champions League odyssey this season in resounding fashion, destroying Lithuanian side Ekranas 11-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round.

Although all three of Anderlecht's group-stage rivals Milan, Zenit and Malaga will prove stern opposition, the relative UCL inexperience of the latter two clubs may give the competition-regulars an edge.

Striker Dieudonne Mbokani is in red-hot form at the moment, having already scored four goals in three games in Europe this season. Whilst creative midfielder Lucas Biglia adds a certain flair to the team's style of football.

If Anderlecht can get a result in either of their clashes with a struggling Milan side, the dream of progression to the knockout rounds may become a reality for the Belgian side.

4. Shakhtar Donetsk

It may be a bit of a stretch to describe UEFA's 16th-ranked team Shakhtar Donetsk as underdogs, but with just about every pundit and fan under the sun picking Chelsea and Juventus to advance from Group E, the Ukrainian side certainly are.

But rule out Shakhtar at your peril.

With Brazilian stars Willian, Douglas Costa and Fernandinho in the team, along with Croatian legend Darijo Srna, the incumbent UCL champions and the reigning Serie A champions will have to be on their guard.

Shakhtar are a perfect 8-8 in the Ukrainian Premier League at the moment, well clear of the trailing Dnipro and Dynamo Kyiv.

Last season's poor UCL campaign will be a distant memory for Mircea Lucescu's team.

3. Olympiacos

Olympiacos reunite with their group-stage opponents of last season—Arsenal.

The Greek champions were one of only two teams to beat the Gunners in Europe last season, also trumping Marseille and Dortmund, despite exiting the competition prematurely.

As well as Arsene Wenger's side, Olympiacos have also been drawn alongside Schalke and Montpellier in a relatively open group.

The in-form club are currently flying high in the Greek Super League having won their opening games and shouldn't be taken lightly by any of their opponents.

2. Galatasaray

Another team for which it may be a bit harsh to describe as underdogs, Galatasaray will welcome Manchester United, Braga and CFR Cluj to "hell" this season.

The Turkish champions re-enter Europe's premier competition after four years of absence, having last been eliminated by Steaua Bucuresti in the UCL third qualifying round in 2008.

Umut Bulut will lead the line for Galatasaray this campaign, the on-loan Turkish striker having already scored six goals in four games.

If a result can be earned in either clash with United, Braga will have a real fight on their hands for what one can presume will be second spot in the group.

1. Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb had a nightmare UCL campaign last time around, exiting the competition at the group stage without having picked up a single point.

Their final-round capitulation to French side Lyon made for difficult viewing, and the team will be eager to avenge such disappointment.

Drawn in the "Group of Life" with Dynamo Kyiv, Porto and PSG, the Croatian side will fancy their chances even if no one else does.

Currently annihilating all in their path domestically, Zagreb have won 21-of-25 league games, having conceded only eight goals and scoring 64.

Who do you think will shock Europe's big guns this season?

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