Top Champions League tifos: Bob Marley, The Beatles, ‘Erling the Great’
As January draws to a close, the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League have also reached their conclusion.
Once again, stadiums throughout Europe have been transformed into vibrant arenas filled with noise and energy, as fans organized and executed impressive tifos to enhance the prematch atmosphere.
From stunning visual displays to spectacular pyrotechnics, home supporters have commemorated their European matches in unforgettable ways. We have witnessed expansive banners, historically themed spectacles, and remarkable comebacks from clubs that have been absent for some time.
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A special acknowledgment is certainly warranted for Marseille, who have significantly elevated their tifo efforts to arguably become the best in the field, at least in recent months of UEFA competition.
Here is a summary of the most impressive tifos observed during the initial matches of this season’s European competitions.
Olympique Marseille fans deserve gold medal
Each season, a new contender arises for the title, and this year, Marseille stands as the 2025-26’s clear European tifo champions. The French club has truly excelled, showcasing elaborate displays for every home match.
Marseille vs. Ajax (Champions League, Sept. 30, 2025)
(Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
In an effort to create some prematch intimidation, L’OM fans kicked off with a tifo depicting their defender Jules Zvunka confronting Ajax legend Johan Cruyff from a 1971 European Cup encounter.
Marseille vs. Atalanta (Champions League, Nov. 5, 2025)
A large image of reggae legend Bob Marley was displayed in the Virage Sud of the Stade Velodrome, accompanied by the lyrics to his song “Get Up, Stand Up” scrolling beneath. The background featured a color transition from blue and white to the Jamaican flag, culminating in a vibrant display of pyrotechnics and flares.
Marseille vs. Newcastle United (Champions League, Nov. 25, 2025)
Marseille greeted Newcastle at the Stade Velodrome with a charming and peaceful scene showing vintage L’OM jerseys hanging from a clothesline above a suburban street. The banner below read, “For my city, for my club.”
Marseille vs. Liverpool (Champions League, Jan. 21, 2026)
With the Premier League champions visiting, Marseille fans opted for a Beatles-themed tifo at the Velodrome, featuring the Fab Four huddled together while perusing a newspaper with a headline cautioning against “History repeating itself” — a nod to L’OM’s victory over the Reds in the knockout stage of the 2003-04 UEFA Cup. Below was a reimagined version of the French lyrics from the Beatles song “Michelle,” with the subject changed to “Marseille.”
On the opposite side of the stadium, fans also created an impressive samurai warrior display (along with the dramatic slogan “Ready to die for the glory of my banner”) and paid tribute to former manager Rolland Courbis, who passed away earlier in January.
Scenes of a historic nature
Throughout the history of tifos, fans have drawn inspiration from historical imagery to rally their soccer teams. This season has showcased a variety of eras and events as themes for prematch displays.
Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund (Champions League, Nov. 5, 2025)
A tribute to “Erling the Great” was visible at the Etihad Stadium, featuring City’s prominent Norwegian striker Erling Haaland dressed in full Viking attire as he prepared to face his former club. Although he did not take the field in a horned helmet and cloak, Haaland did find the net in a 4-1 victory.
Rangers vs. AS Roma (Europa League, Nov. 6, 2025)
A large gladiator in full armor was seen moving through the terraces of the Copland Stand at Ibrox as Rangers fans welcomed their Roman rivals to Glasgow’s version of the Colosseum.
Rapid Vienna vs. CSU Craiova (Conference League, Nov. 6, 2025)
Beautiful postcard-like scenes were displayed at the Weststadion as Rapid fans unveiled a heartfelt tribute to “Vienna, city of my dreams” — presumably on behalf of the local tourism board.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City (Champions League, Dec. 10, 2025)
A vast scene was presented across the lower tier of the Bernabéu, depicting a fleet of Spanish galleons pursuing the three-masted ship featured on City’s club crest, which appeared broadside in the captain’s telescope.
Reveling in past glories
The Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League are filled with clubs that have triumphed in European football historically, with many eager to remind their opponents of their past successes.
Chelsea vs. Benfica (Champions League, Sept. 30, 2025)
A glimpse of the formidable security system in the Stamford Bridge trophy room was presented, showcasing Chelsea’s emblematic lion guarding the club’s collection of European and international trophies.
Real Madrid vs. Juventus (Champions League, Oct. 22, 2025)
An enthusiastic young Madridista was seen holding a scarf high above a banner that read “To see the Bernabéu is to see the Champions.” It is difficult to dispute, given that Los Blancos have claimed the European Cup more times than any other club in history.
Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League, Nov. 25, 2025)
While City may not possess the same level of European prestige as Real Madrid, they are still champions, and the magical night in Istanbul in 2023 was celebrated this season with a banner of coach Pep Guardiola kissing the Champions League trophy, accompanied by a motto borrowed from The Stone Roses.
Liverpool vs. PSV Eindhoven (Champions League, Nov. 26, 2025)
Fans at Anfield displayed a large banner adorned with hand-drawn portraits of several legendary players and coaches who played crucial roles in Liverpool’s numerous European triumphs.
Big European nights under the lights
We have witnessed remarkable celebratory displays from clubs returning to the European stage after a long absence or simply enjoying what may be a rare venture into UEFA competition.
Newcastle United vs. Barcelona (Champions League, Sept. 18, 2025)
Recalling their famous 1997 victory over Barcelona, Newcastle heavily referenced rock legends AC/DC while boldly declaring themselves to be “Back in black and white,” with their Magpie mascot taking center stage between two stacks of amplifiers.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna (Europa League, Sept. 25, 2025)
Villa has capitalized on their recent return to European football by engaging in a series of elaborate tifos prior to their midweek matches. Against Bologna, the Holte End was illuminated with a large tifo centered on a vintage Polaroid camera that captured moments from the previous season’s Champions League campaigns against Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and others.
Nottingham Forest vs. FC Midtjylland (Europa League, Oct. 2, 2025)
A new generation of Nottingham Forest supporters boarded the tour bus ahead of their first continental adventure in nearly 30 years, with the home match against Danish side Midtjylland marking the first European game at the City Ground since 1996.
Racing Genk vs. Ferencvaros (Europa League, Oct. 2, 2025)
Upon their return to the Europa League, Genk fans unveiled a stylish “Dragon Ball Z” theme, featuring the confident antagonist Vegeta instructing his visiting Hungarian entourage to “prepare themselves for oblivion,” only for the Belgian side to ultimately lose 1-0 that evening.
Crystal Palace vs. AEK Larnaca (Conference League, Oct. 23, 2025)
An homage to the opening credits of the classic British sitcom “Dad’s Army” saw Palace fans herald their journey to Leipzig, where the 2025-26 Conference League final will take place in May.
