The 2024/25 football season was filled with intense battles, heartbreaks, and near misses for several top clubs across Europe. While some teams celebrated historic triumphs, others were left frustrated, falling short in their pursuit of silverware. Here’s a detailed look at the biggest clubs that missed out on major trophies, analyzing their performances and what went wrong.
1. Arsenal: The Nearly Men Once Again
Arsenal had a strong season, but once again, they fell short in their pursuit of silverware.
Missed Trophies
- Premier League – Finished 2nd behind Liverpool, marking their third consecutive runner-up finish (2022/23 & 2023/24 to Man City, 2024/25 to Liverpool).
- UEFA Champions League – Lost in the semi-finals to PSG, despite knocking out Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
What Went Wrong?
- Inconsistent finishing – Arsenal dropped crucial points in the final weeks of the Premier League, allowing Liverpool to overtake them.
- Champions League heartbreak – Despite a strong run, they struggled against PSG’s high-pressing system, losing 3-1 on aggregate.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| Premier League | 2nd | Khai Haverts (9 goals, 3 assists) |
| Champions League | Semi-finals | Declan Rice (4 goals, 2 assists) |
2. Inter Milan: Serie A Heartbreak & UCL Finalists
Inter Milan had a sensational season, but they missed out on Serie A in dramatic fashion.
Missed Trophies
- Serie A – Lost the title to Napoli on the final matchday.
- UEFA Champions League – In the final against PSG, with a chance to redeem their season.
What Went Wrong?
- Serie A collapse – Inter led the league for most of the season but dropped points in crucial matches, allowing Napoli to overtake them.
- Champions League uncertainty – If they lose to PSG, they will have missed out on two major trophies.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| Serie A | 2nd | Marcus Thuram (14 goals, 4 assists) |
| Champions League | Finalists | Lautaro Martinez (9 goals, 0 assists) |
3. Ajax: The Biggest Collapse in Eredivisie History
Ajax had the most frustrating season, losing the Eredivisie title despite leading by 9 points with five games remaining.
Missed Trophy
- Eredivisie – Lost the title to PSV Eindhoven, despite being clear favorites.
What Went Wrong?
- Late-season collapse – Ajax lost three of their last five matches, allowing PSV to overtake them.
- Defensive struggles – Conceded 8 goals in their last five games, showing weaknesses under pressure.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| Eredivisie | 2nd | Wout Weghorst (10 goals, 2 assists) |
4. Real Madrid: A Trophyless Disaster
Real Madrid had a season to forget, missing out on every major trophy.
Missed Trophies
- La Liga – Lost to Barcelona.
- Copa del Rey – Lost to Barcelona.
- Supercopa de España – Lost to Barcelona.
- UEFA Champions League – Knocked out by Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
What Went Wrong?
- Defensive instability – Madrid struggled with injuries and tactical inconsistencies.
- Mbappé’s arrival disrupted the attack – While Kylian Mbappé was expected to elevate Madrid, his presence affected Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo’s roles, leading to disjointed performances.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| La Liga | 2nd | Kylian Mbappé (31 goals, 3 assists) |
| Champions League | Quarter-finals | Kylian Mbappe (7goals, 1 assists) |
5. Manchester City: A Rare Trophyless Season
Manchester City, one of Europe’s most dominant teams, ended the season without silverware.
Missed Trophies
- Premier League – Finished 3rd, behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
- FA Cup – Knocked out in the semi-finals by Chelsea.
- UEFA Champions League – Eliminated in the Round of 16 by Bayern Munich.
What Went Wrong?
- Squad fatigue – City struggled with injuries and exhaustion, affecting their title challenge.
- Defensive lapses – Their defensive structure was weaker than previous seasons, leading to unexpected losses.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| Premier League | 3rd | Erling Haaland (22 goals, 3 assists) |
| Champions League | Round of 16 | Erlind Haaland (8 goals, 0 assists) |
6. Manchester United: A Season of Chaos
Manchester United had a disastrous season, finishing outside the top four and missing out on all trophies.
Missed Trophies
- Premier League – Finished 15th, missing out on Champions League qualification.
- Europa League – Lost the final to Tottenham.
What Went Wrong?
- Managerial instability – United struggled under Ruben Amorim, failing to find consistency.
- Defensive weaknesses – Conceded 50+ goals in the league, showing poor organization.
Season Stats
| Competition | Final Position | Key Player |
| Premier League | 17th | Amad Diallo (8 goals, 6 assists) |
| Europa League | Finalists | Bruno Fernandes (7 goals, 4 assists) |
Conclusion
The 2024/25 season was brutal for several top clubs, with Arsenal, Inter Milan, Ajax, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Manchester United all missing out on major trophies. While some teams came close, others collapsed under pressure, leading to frustration and disappointment.
As the summer transfer window approaches, these clubs will look to reinforce their squads and bounce back stronger next season.
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