You're right, some teams struggle to get past the groups stage back then but end up reaching the semi-finals or quarter final, I can't really remember the year but their was a season when Madrid didn't really perform very well from the group stage and round of 16 but ended up winning the league. PSG didn't really do well at the beginning of last season's tournament but along the line when the managed to progress they had to put more effort to avoid being kicked out till they got to the finals and won, that's the fighting spirit every team that wants to win that tournament should posses, you don't give up till it's over.