Typically, teams that aren't playing for trophies are teams that are aware that their own abilities aren't yet sufficient to reach the final, so they monitor new players with greater ability in each match. But in a competition as high as the Champions League, it seems like every team is trying their best, even if they ultimately lose to stronger opponents. Still, when playing in the Champions League, everyone will be willing to give their all, relentlessly, to win. In the Champions League, besides having to be clever in rotating players, they also need to have stronger players.
The Champions League requires not only a manager's strategic prowess but also a solid squad to have a better chance of reaching the final. However, some clubs have managed to win the Champions League despite poor performances in their respective leagues. For example, Chelsea despite inconsistent performance in the Premier League, managed to win the Champions League in the 2020/2021 season. While this is always uncertain, football isn't just about luck; it's also about a club's preparation for the tough competition.
I think it require both coach strategies and players strategies to improve in this new season because there are some strategies some players will switch on without getting such strategies from their coach to prove how experience they are in football. Some coach prefer some players that are ready to follow only their strategies no matter the condition, which is not good for some coaches that have such directive towards their players. Not that the winner of the UEFA champion league managed to win the title, because they scored plenty goals that gave them the opportunity to win the title without allowed the match to end in penalty shootout.