As humans it’s in our nature to root for the underdog. Every few years, we see an unlikely team upset the status quo and challenge for a title or european qualification. Whether it’s Leicester City’s 5000/1 Premier League title, or Greece’s miracle EURO 2004 win, upsets like these go down in history as incredible, unforgettable moments. In recent years, it’s looked as if miracles like these are becoming less and less likely, especially in the Premier League as the gap between the ‘Big 6’ and everyone else only seems to be growing. But the 2023/24 season was a clear outlier. Every one of the Top 5 Leagues had an underdog story to capture the imagination of fans. In this article, we will be taking a look at every underdog story this season and how they achieved their success.
Bayer Leverkusen 04
Starting with the most high profile story, Xabi Alonso’s Bayern Leverkusen have been the talk of the football world all season. In his first full season as a first team coach, Alonso lead his team to the first Bundesliga title in club history, claiming the Meisterschale without losing a single match and setting a new record unbeaten streak in Europe (51 games).
Florian Wirtz has emerged as not only one of the best young players, but one of the best Number 10’s in the world. The 21 year old has been arguably Leverkusen’s best player this season with 18 goals and 19 assists in what has been a breakout season for the German. Dutch right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has also played a big part in Leverkusen’s success this season, scoring 14 goals and assisting 10. On the other wing, Spaniard Alejandro Grimaldo was just as fruitful as Frimpong. Signed from Benfica in the summer, he scored 12 goals and assisted a further 17, the most in the Bundesliga. Nigerian Striker Victor Boniface lead the line with 21 goals and 10 assists. This season, Leverkusen incredibly scored 18 goals in added time in all competitions, which is really telling of the desire and belief Alonso has instilled in his players.
VfB Stuttgart
Staying in the Bundesliga, an honourable mention must be given to Vfb Stuttgart, who finished 2nd and qualified for next seasons Champions League. After finishing all the way down in 16th last season, they beat Bayern to 2nd place on the final day.
The most important player in this team was undoubtedly Serhou Guirassy, who scored 28 goals in 28 league games. Deniz Undav, who they signed on loan from Brighton in the Summer, was also a key player with 18 league goals and 9 assists. Japanese centre-back Hiroki Ito was also a crucial player for Stuttgart this season, and his defensive performances have earned him a move to Bayern München. Managed by former Bayern München II and Hoffenheim manager, Sebastian Hoeneß, they will be playing Champions League football for the first time in 15 years.
Stade Brestois 29
Possibly the biggest underdog story of the season comes from Ligue 1, where Stade Brestois 29 beat out the likes of Lille, Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Lens to finish 3rd and clinch Champions League qualification, which will see them play European football for the first time ever. They are managed by Eric Roy who, before joining Brest in January 2023, had not managed a club since he was at Nice in 2011. They have gone against the grain that most other Ligue 1 sides follow of focusing on youth, and have put together an experienced side featuring players such as Steven Mounie, Kenny Lala, Pierre Lees-Melou, Jordan Amavi and Romain Del Castillo. Despite their incredible season, the club does not want to set its expectations too high, and will treat the Champions League campaign as an experience, while still focusing on securing a solid finish in Ligue 1.
Aston Villa
Of all the clubs on this list, Aston Villa is easily the biggest, which could make calling them an underdog slightly demeaning. Under Steven Gerrard, Villa looked to be heading for the trapdoor, with just two wins in the first 12 games of the 22/23 season. But Unai Emery has revolutionised the way they play in his season and a half in charge, to take Aston Villa to the premier European competition for the first time since 1983.
Ollie Watkins was one of the best players in the Premier League this season, scoring 19 goals and assisting 13, with many fans believing he should have won Player of The Season over Phil Foden. Douglas Luiz was also a key player in Emery’s team, contributing 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. They also have arguably the best goalkeeper in thew world right now in Emiliano Martinez. Emery is known for being Mr. Europa League, but who knows how far he can take the 1982 winners now that they are back in the Champions League.
Girona
Girona achieved the best league finish in club history this season, being top of the league for a long time and eventually finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.
While their status as a subsidiary of the City Football Group certainly subtracts from the underdog feeling, it is still worth mentioning some of the players who were instrumental in their 3rd place finish. Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk was the top scorer in La Liga, scoring 24 goals to claim the Pichichi trophy. Fellow Ukrainian Victor Tsygankov scored 8 goals and racked up 7 assists from the wing. Brazilian winger Sávio, who is on loan from ESTAC Troyes, added 9 goals and 10 assists, and following his good season looks set to join Manchester City. In defence you will find Daley Blind, who joined the club after half a season at Bayern München. As well as these players they also had promising young players like Arnau Martinez, Man City loanee Yan Couto, Barcelona loanee Pablo Torre as well as veteran Cristhian Stuani in their squad.
Bologna
Bologna have won the Scudetto seven times in their 125 year history, although they have not won it since the 1963/64 season. In fact, they have not won any silverware since they won Serie B in 1996. But in recent years they have slowly risen up the table, and with the UEFA coefficient rankings guaranteeing the top five in Serie A a place in next season’s Champions League, Bologna took full advantage to claim that fifth spot and bring Champions League football back to their iconic Stadia Renato Dall’ara for the first time in 60 years.
Managed by Thiago Motta with his infamous 2-7-2 sideways formation, the club finished 5th in what is their best season since 1981. The main man for them this season has been Joshua Zirkzee, with the Dutch striker netting 11 goals and assisting 5, which has drawn interest from some big clubs like AC Milan and Manchester United. Right winger Ricardo Orsolini was also in fine form, scoring ten. Scottish international Lewis Ferguson added 6 goals and 4 assists from midfield. Their defence was held down by Riccardo Calafiori, Jhon Lucumí, Leicester City loanee Victor Kristiansen and Austrian Stefan Posch. In their ranks they also have promising Swiss winger Dan Ndoye.
With Thiago Motta being appointed as the new Juventus manager, former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano has joined as his successor. Italiano has taken Fiorentina to two consecutive Europa Conference League Finals, and it will be interesting to see how Bologna will do with him in charge.
With the growing strength of the cartel of big clubs in all of the top 5 leagues, it is unlikely that we will see so many overachieving clubs in one season for some time, which means all the more reason for the fans of these clubs, and for neutrals, to enjoy the experience of playing in the Champions League. We will certainly be watching with interest and intrigue to see how they fair going head to head with Europe’s elite clubs.
Luke Flanagan 
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