Every Champions League season has a surprise, and this year there are three of them. Como, LASK and Viking, all debutants in the competition, are projected by the Opta supercomputer to survive the league phase and reach the knockout rounds. For clubs that have never played at this level before, that is an extraordinary achievement.

The new league phase format has helped. With 36 teams playing eight different opponents, a debutant does not need to beat a giant twice to survive. A couple of wins, a few draws and a good goal difference can be enough for a playoff place. But the format alone does not explain what these three clubs have done: they have earned their places with performances, not luck.

Como: The Fairytale Continues

Como are the headline story. The Italian club's rise has been rapid, and their Champions League campaign has been built around Tasos Douvikas, the competition's top scorer with six goals in four matches. Douvikas has scored in every game, and his hat-trick on Matchday 4 announced Como to the whole of Europe.

The supercomputer projects Como to finish around tenth in the league phase with more than 14 points, which would be enough for a playoff spot and possibly even the top eight. Their remaining fixtures are tough, but they have already shown they can compete with the best teams in the competition.

LASK and Viking: Quietly Impressive

LASK of Austria and Viking of Norway have been quieter stories, but no less impressive. Both clubs have been organised, disciplined and hard to beat, picking up points against teams that expected to roll them over. Their projected points totals put them in the playoff places, and their defensive records suggest they can frustrate even the strongest attacks.

For both clubs, the Champions League is a financial lifeline as well as a sporting achievement. The prize money from reaching the knockout phase would transform their budgets, and the exposure has already put their players on the radar of bigger clubs.

Why Debutants Are Doing So Well

There are several reasons. First, the league phase format gives smaller clubs a fairer chance: they play eight different opponents, so a bad draw does not doom their campaign. Second, the gap between Europe's elite and the next tier has narrowed, as smart recruitment and good coaching allow smaller clubs to compete.

Third, the big clubs are stretched. With domestic leagues, cup competitions and the Champions League all demanding attention, the giants cannot field their best team every week. A debutant that is fresh, organised and motivated can exploit that.

What Happens Next?

If all three debutants reach the knockout phase, it will be a first for the competition and a vindication of the new format. The playoff draw would be fascinating: a big club that finished ninth would face a debutant with nothing to lose, and that is exactly the kind of tie that produces upsets.

Whatever happens next, Como, LASK and Viking have already changed the story of this season. They have shown that the Champions League is not a closed shop, and that a well-run club with a clear plan can compete at the highest level. The rest of Europe is watching, and the giants are no longer taking them lightly.

What the Debutants Need to Survive

The remaining fixtures will decide whether the debutants' dream continues. Como need to keep scoring, because their goal difference could be the difference between a playoff place and elimination. LASK and Viking need to stay organised and pick up points at home, where their fans give them a real advantage.

The biggest threat to all three is the fixture list. The final matchdays bring games against the biggest clubs in Europe, and the debutants will need to produce their best performances of the season to survive. But they have already beaten the odds once, and nobody in their dressing rooms believes the journey is over yet.