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Discover the Best Soccer Team in the World 2020 and Why They Dominated
2025-11-17 09:00
I remember sitting in my living room back in early 2020, convinced that this would finally be Liverpool's year to claim the title of world's best soccer team. After their stunning Champions League victory the previous season and their dominant Premier League performance, everything seemed to be falling into place. The data supported this belief - they were on track to break numerous records, including the most points in a Premier League season. With a 22-point lead by February and only one loss in their first 25 matches, the statistics painted a picture of absolute dominance. Their pressing system under Jürgen Klopp had revolutionized modern football, with their front three of Salah, Mané, and Firmino scoring a combined 46 goals by March. The advanced metrics showed they were creating 2.3 expected goals per game while conceding only 0.7, numbers that would typically guarantee championship glory.
Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be that way. When the pandemic hit and football ground to a halt in March, something shifted in the team's momentum. I've been following football for over twenty years, and I've never seen such a dramatic interruption affect a team's rhythm so profoundly. While Liverpool did eventually win the Premier League title when play resumed, their performance in European competitions told a different story. Their shocking 4-2 aggregate loss to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 exposed vulnerabilities that hadn't been apparent during their domestic campaign. The data reveals they conceded three goals in extra time after leading 2-0 at Anfield, a collapse that statisticians calculated had less than a 2% probability of occurring. This match, more than any other, demonstrated that while Liverpool were exceptional domestically, they weren't the complete global force many of us had anticipated.
What fascinates me looking back is how Bayern Munich emerged as the true dominant force of 2020, though I'll admit I didn't see it coming at the time. Their transformation under Hansi Flick was nothing short of remarkable. After struggling in the Bundesliga early in the season, sitting seventh in November, they went on an incredible run that saw them win every single Champions League match after the restart. The numbers are staggering - they scored 43 goals in 11 Champions League matches, with Robert Lewandowski alone contributing 15 goals. Their 8-2 demolition of Barcelona wasn't just a victory; it was a statement that reverberated across the football world. I remember watching that match with growing astonishment - the precision of their pressing, the efficiency of their attacks, the way they completely dismantled one of Europe's historic giants. The statistics showed they completed 89% of their passes and created 4.7 expected goals against a team that, despite its decline, still possessed world-class talent.
The tactical evolution Bayern underwent in 2020 represents what I consider one of the most impressive mid-season transformations in modern football history. Their high defensive line combined with intense pressing created a system that was both beautiful to watch and brutally effective. What made them truly dominant, in my opinion, was their adaptability - they could control possession with 65% average ball retention or hit teams on the counter-attack with devastating speed. Joshua Kimmich's role as both a defensive midfielder and creative fulcrum gave them tactical flexibility that other top teams lacked. The data supports this versatility - they led the Bundesliga in both goals scored (100) and fewest goals conceded (32), while their Champions League campaign saw them average 2.8 goals per game with a pass completion rate of 87%. These aren't just good numbers; they're the marks of a team operating at the peak of tactical execution.
When I compare Bayern's 2020 campaign to other contenders, the gap becomes even more apparent. Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League final but lacked Bayern's consistency throughout the season, dropping points in 8 of their 27 Ligue 1 matches before the season was curtailed. Real Madrid won La Liga but struggled in Europe, scoring only 9 goals in their 8 Champions League matches. Liverpool's domestic dominance was unquestionable, but their European exit raised questions about their ability to adapt against different tactical approaches. Bayern, meanwhile, demonstrated what I believe separates good teams from truly great ones - the capacity to dominate across multiple competitions and playing styles. Their victory wasn't just about having better players; it was about creating a system that maximized every player's potential while maintaining tactical discipline that was simply unmatched that year.
Reflecting on 2020's football landscape, I'm convinced that Bayern Munich's achievement represents one of the most complete team performances in recent memory. They didn't just win matches; they redefined what modern football excellence looks like. The statistics tell part of the story - 21 consecutive wins across all competitions, a treble of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League titles, and a goal difference of +80 in the Bundesliga alone. But beyond the numbers, what impressed me most was their mental fortitude. In a year disrupted by a global pandemic, they maintained focus and intensity when other top teams faltered. Their dominance wasn't accidental; it was the product of tactical innovation, squad depth, and what I can only describe as an insatiable will to win. While other teams had moments of brilliance, Bayern maintained excellence throughout the entire year, making them not just the best team of 2020, but one of the most dominant sides we've seen in the modern era.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
