Smaller teams with great potential in season 2023-2024

We are in the season 2023-2024 right now with about 50 percent of the season played already. So far many elites of their respective clubs have been showing the same red-hot form that one expects from them and they are even flying on top of the table but somewhere somehow every season there come clubs that are not as big as the elites but show sublime form to end up exceptionally better than what is expected from them.  

It takes courage, determination, and a lot of hard work for smaller teams to rise from the bottom to compete with larger clubs with better players. A lot needs to be considered while making the best decisions to fight on top with a structure so weak. Managers, players, the higher hierarchy, and fans play a very important role in building up a team that can be the best of themselves. Here are some of the not-so-bigger ones giving a shot to click the fairy tale box this time out.

Premier League: Aston Villa  

Standings: 3rd

Top players: Ollie Watkins, Goals: 8, Assist: 6

Aston Villa is managed by a very underrated manager, Unai Emery. Surprisingly he comes from the same town as Mikel Arteta and both the managers are pretty much good. Since a change in management from Steven Gerrard, it had been nice of the Villains. With some major signings on the block creating a big impact Aston Villa has finally shown what they are capable of with wins over Arsenal and Manchester City this season being the biggest talking point for them.

La Liga: Girona FC  

Standings: 1st

Top players: Artem Dovbyk, Goals: 8

                     Savio, Assist: 5

Believe it or not, it’s not Real Madrid or Barcelona leading the charge in the Laliga table and not even Atletico but it’s FC Girona who have lost just 1 game this season and are flying high with 41 points in 16 matches. Some great teamwork performances and signings are on the way, a mix of young talents with experience has helped them gain a great reputation this time out and it’d be an exceptional fairy tale in the making if they carry the same form and win the Laliga this time out.

Ligue 1: OGC Nice

Standings: 2nd

Top players: Tarem Moffi, Goals: 4  

OGC Nice are playing one of the best football of their life. Almost the middle of the season they are currently sitting second in the points table with PSG as the only team that has more points than them. The forward line for the French side has been doing pretty well with many attacking options scoring an average of more than two goals and Tarem Moffi being the top scorer among them with 4.

Bundesliga: Leverkusen  

Standings: 1st

Top players: Victor Boniface, Goal: 8, Assist: 6

                      Alejandro Grimaldo, Goal: 7, Assist: 4

Bids for Leverkusen winning the title are pretty much high this time out. The only team in all bigger leagues that hasn’t lost a single game this season. Manager Xavi Alonso, a great player himself who played for the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich and a son to the Manager himself said Jose Mourinho feels the former player can be the best in the world. Already he has made a proper gesture by making some prominent signings that have shone up for his side to make the team stand at the top of the table.

Seria A: Bologna  

Standings: 5th

Top players: Joshua Zirkzee, Goal: 7

Bologna have been playing good football this season. With 25 points this season already in 15 matches, they have been doing better than decent as Filipo Inzanghi has developed a side that can rise to better heights if stays consistent. Joshua Zirkzee has been showing good form with his 7 goals for the Italian outfit with high hopes from him after a stint with Bayern didn’t go as planned.

Cover Credits: Eurosport