Not just Nottingham Forest: 7 teams that have shocked the 2024/25 season so far

Last season, teams like Girona, Bologna, Brest, and Stuttgart stunned the footballing world. As club football returns after the international break, here’s a closer look at the unexpected standout performers of the current season.

Nottingham Forest
League: English Premier League
Position: 5th

Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Nottingham Forest has been one of the biggest surprises in the Premier League. Named Manager of the Month in October, and with 32-year-old striker Chris Wood earning Player of the Month honors, the “Reds” have started the season in remarkable form.

Forest has collected 19 points from 11 matches, trailing Arsenal and Chelsea only on goal difference. A team that barely avoided relegation last season is now flying high.

They are the only side to defeat Liverpool this season, pulling off a stunning 1-0 away victory. Other highlights include a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and a 2-2 draw at Brighton. Upcoming matches against Arsenal and Manchester City will provide an intriguing test of their ambitions.

Fiorentina
League: Serie A
Position: 3rd

The top of the Serie A table is as tight as ever, with just two points separating first and sixth. Fiorentina, now under 40-year-old coach Raffaele Palladino, has unexpectedly joined the fight for European spots.

After going winless in their first five matches, Fiorentina has turned things around with six consecutive victories. These wins include stunning results like a 6-0 thrashing of Lecce, a 5-1 demolition of Roma, and a 2-1 victory over Milan.

The summer transfer window was key to their success. David De Gea has reignited his career in goal, while Moise Kean, after a disappointing stint at Juventus, has already scored 8 Serie A goals (compared to 0 last season). Midfielders Yacine Adli, Eduardo Bove, and Danilo Cataldi have also been standout performers.

In the UEFA Conference League, Fiorentina struggled to overcome Puskás Akadémia in qualifying but secured 6 points in the group stage with wins over TNS (2-0) and St. Gallen (4-2), despite a loss to APOEL (1-2).

Samsunspor
League: Turkish Süper Lig
Position: 3rd

In Turkey, the "big three" clubs (Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş) usually dominate, with Trabzonspor close behind. This season, however, Samsunspor has gatecrashed the party.

Their success lies in stability. Samsunspor made no summer signings, relying on a cohesive and experienced squad. New head coach Thomas Reis, formerly of Bochum and Schalke, has brought tactical discipline and focus.

Currently, Samsunspor trails second-place Fenerbahçe by just 1 point, a remarkable achievement for the "Red Lightning." Despite a 2-3 loss at Galatasaray in their last match, they put in a spirited performance.

Eyüpspor
League: Turkish Süper Lig
Position: 4th

Eyüpspor is arguably an even bigger surprise than Samsunspor. In their debut Süper Lig season, the Istanbul-based club has punched well above its weight.

Despite modest resources, Eyüpspor has benefitted from the leadership of Turkish football icon Arda Turan. Key players include French defender Léo Dubois and Turkish veteran Caner Erkin.

While Eyüpspor is three points behind third place, upcoming matches against giants Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray will test their limits. Even if they cannot maintain their current position, they’ve already become one of the league’s most fascinating stories.

Utrecht
League: Eredivisie
Position: 2nd

PSV continues to dominate the Eredivisie for the second consecutive year, while Ajax and Feyenoord are experiencing turbulent times. Utrecht, traditionally seen as a mid-table team, has capitalized on this opportunity to rise up the ranks.

Currently sitting in second place, five points behind PSV, Utrecht has defied expectations with a pragmatic approach. Unlike many Dutch clubs, they prioritize defensive discipline and counterattacking efficiency, a style that has left opponents struggling to counter Ron Jans’ tactics.

Santa Clara
League: Primeira Liga
Position: 4th

Unlike some of the other surprise stories, Santa Clara hasn’t disrupted the usual top three in Portugal. However, their start to the season is no less remarkable.

Having secured promotion from the Segunda Liga last season, where they finished as champions, Santa Clara now sits fourth in the Primeira Liga standings. They are ahead of established European contenders like Braga and Vitória Guimarães.

What makes this even more impressive is that Santa Clara’s squad, according to Transfermarkt, is the least expensive in the league. Their efficient and determined performances have made them one of the standout stories in Portuguese football this season.

Oleksandriya
League: Ukrainian Premier League
Position: 2nd

In Ukraine, the league is usually dominated by Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk. However, Oleksandriya, coached by Ukrainian football legend Ruslan Rotan, has emerged as the biggest surprise of the season.

Unbeaten after 32 matches, Oleksandriya has accumulated 32 points and sits second in the table, trailing Dynamo Kyiv only on goal difference. They’ve also opened a six-point gap over Shakhtar, a testament to their consistency.

While it’s uncertain if Oleksandriya can maintain their title challenge throughout the season, their performance guarantees a historic fourth qualification for European competition.