Thirty-two groups have fallen on this season’s Champions League and simply 4 stay. So who will grow to be the kings of Europe?
are hoping to retain the trophy they received for the primary time final season. and are aiming to grow to be first-time champions of Europe. are out to win the competitors for a seventh time, and a primary since 2020.
Commercial
Certainly one of them will carry the Champions League trophy at Budapest’s Puskas Enviornment.
To determine who, BBC Sport takes a have a look at what the statistics counsel, whereas specialists have their say and make predictions.
Of the 4 Champions League semi-finalists, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have by no means received the trophy, whereas Paris St-Germain lifted it for the primary time final season [Getty Images]
Making a case for either side to carry the trophy
If type on this season’s Champions League was the benchmark, then Arsenal can be residence and dry with 10 victories and two attracts in 12 video games – and so they beat Bayern in November.
However the Gunners haven’t been in a ultimate since 2006 – after they had been crushed by in Paris – and competitors pedigree performs a task within the Champions League.
The north Londoners completed high of the league part and had been handed a beneficial path to Budapest in consequence, with wins over and Sporting in earlier rounds.
Commercial
Simply three of the earlier 20 champions have been first-time winners – making it much more of an uphill activity for Mikel Arteta’s facet.
The Gunners will tackle a resurgent Atletico Madrid, who’re the shock bundle on this 12 months’s competitors.
Many predicted Diego Simeone’s facet can be despatched packing by Spanish rivals Barcelona within the final eight, however the three-time finalists are again to their gritty greatest on this competitors.
Atletico are means off the tempo within the La Liga title race and lately had their hearts damaged within the Copa del Rey ultimate by .
However in , Atleti have hope. The Argentine striker has netted 9 occasions and registered 4 assists in 13 matches, making him the important thing for the Spaniards to succeed in the ultimate.
Commercial
Bayern Munich have already tied up the Bundesliga title and are purring beneath Vincent Kompany this season.
Bayern’s assault was in tremendous type as they beat 6-4 on mixture in an exciting quarter-final. That took their European tally to 38 objectives in 12 video games – the perfect within the Champions League this season.
England captain has been on the forefront of every thing particular at Bayern. He seems so as to add to his 12 objectives, whereas aided by game-changing widemen Luis Diaz and .
The six-time winners know greater than most what it takes to carry this trophy.
And that leaves us with the holders, PSG.
Commercial
The Parisians lastly broke their Champions League hoodoo in Might 2025 with a 5-0 win over – the largest successful margin in a ultimate.
Like final season, Luis Enrique’s facet needed to come by a play-off to succeed in the knockout levels. However, additionally like final time period, they’ve dispatched of two English sides in and .
A 4-0 mixture victory over the Premier League champions proves PSG are at their scary greatest and now have the expertise as well.
Predictions
European soccer skilled Guillem Balague: I feel Arsenal will beat Atletico Madrid within the semi-final. They may in all probability be two tight video games as each groups have just a little little bit of issue towards groups who’re compact on the again. Atletico really do assault higher than they used to however they’re up towards the perfect defence in Europe.
Commercial
PSG have gotten greater than Bayern Munich when it comes to momentum. They’re discovering type at the perfect time and I noticed weaknesses in Bayern in these last-eight video games towards Actual Madrid.
So I feel will probably be PSG towards Arsenal within the ultimate and PSG will clearly be favourites. But when Arsenal shake off the strain and the psychological tiredness that appears to be making it tougher, they might really feel they don’t have anything to lose by then. PSG would have extra to lose by then I feel, so I’ve this impression that Arsenal might launch this demon they’ve inside and so they might win it.
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter Alex Howell: Arsenal are a distinct group in Europe than the one you see within the Premier League. The Gunners play with extra freedom and a few of their greatest performances this season have come within the competitors.
They’ve crushed Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid already and that can give them confidence earlier than the tie towards Diego Simeone’s Spanish facet.
Commercial
Nonetheless, Arsenal aren’t in nice type proper now and so they needed to battle to get previous Sporting within the quarter-final.
Arsenal additionally know that going through a group you could have already crushed means nothing, after dropping to PSG within the semi-final final season having crushed them within the league part.
I fancy Arsenal to get previous Atletico although, however successful the Champions League will depend upon whether or not they have clinched the Premier League title every week beforehand.
If the Gunners have been pipped to the title then I feel will probably be an excessive amount of to select themselves up once more after such a disappointment.
French soccer journalist Sara Menai: What I do not see is PSG successful the Champions League back-to-back. It was actually one thing particular final season – I do not see that particular ingredient this 12 months. They’re having a way more troublesome season on the home facet of issues. They do not have the depth within the squad nor the standard to do it.
Commercial
I feel Bayern are the favourites. I am unable to see who will be capable to cease them this 12 months. I feel they might journey PSG up this week and I am unable to see Atletico or Arsenal beating that group. Arsenal have gotten an excessive amount of on their plate – reaching the ultimate does not appear potential for them.
So I can see Bayern successful it this 12 months. They’re one of many large golf equipment who’re nonetheless performing this season.
German soccer journalist Taufig Khalil: I feel it is Bayern’s 12 months. I stated in the event that they survive Actual Madrid then they’re able to go for the Champions League.
For me Kane is the captain on the pitch, he’s the true chief of that group. It is how he reveals his presence within the field, how he reveals his presence within the midfield, how he opens the sport, and it is how he reacts in the direction of the media.
Commercial
Kane is speaking like an actual chief – I name him King Harry! For me he makes the distinction.
If Bayern make it to the ultimate then they’ll win the Champions League. If it is not Bayern then will probably be PSG.
Watch highlights of each Champions League sport from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport web site and app.
There may also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.