Who Will Win the Champions League (Revised)?

Tyler Stearns |

The Champions League quarterfinals are set and they are amazing. Every matchup is equal and either team can go through. Let’s take a look at each matchup and predict who will go through and eventually predict who wins the Champions League.

Champions League Trophy, Via The Independent

Quarterfinals

Barcelona - PSG (Aggregate: 5-3)

Barcelona will go through versus PSG. Barcelona has been playing amazing team football recently. Their wins have been more convincing and they finally look like a team that cares. PSG is good, but they haven’t faced any major competition in any tournaments this year other than the group stages of the Champions League which they qualified behind Borrusia Dortmund. Barca has the hot hand and they will capitalize off of it.

Manchester City - Real Madrid (Aggregate: 4-3)

The matchup that we have become accustomed to. The two best teams over the last three years will once again meet. The outcome is certainly in favor of Manchester City. Real Madrid have looked shaky at times this season, especially in their RO16 matchup against RB Leipzig where they won off a few fluke calls and Openda’s missed opportunities. Now they have to step up their game, big time, to face the giants of modern-day football. I don’t think they have it in them. Manchester City goes through.

Dortmund - Atlético Madrid (Aggregate: 2-1)

This matchup will be the most overlooked by fans in the coming weeks. However, both teams deserve their flowers. Dortmund looked good in the UCL and Atlético beat Inter who played in the CL final last year. Dortmund have had much better form recently so expect them to go through.

Bayern - Arsenal (Aggregate: 2-0)

Arsenal are way too focused on the Premier League as showcased in their narrow defeat of Porto. The Gunners have never been suited to heavily compete in the UCL and they face a Champions League giant in Bayern Munich. Bayern have not been amazing this season, but their recent run of form should carry them over into the semifinal. 

Semifinals

Manchester City - Bayern (Aggregate: 5-4)

A high-scoring affair on aggregate is sure to occur. Manchester City’s defense has been shaky all season long, but their attack carries them to victories. Bayern has been able to put goals in the net, specifically from their $100 million striker Harry Kane, and they will continue that versus City. It will be a battle of the attacks and Manchester City will prevail to the final.

Barcelona - Atlético Madrid (Aggregate: 4-1)

Barca have dominated Atlético Madrid all season long. They even beat them by three in Madrid. Xavi seems to have figured them out and he will do so in the semifinal. Atlético Madrid has not looked great in recent weeks. Though their win against Inter Milan is certainly impressive, their La Liga performances have been nothing short of disappointing. Even with the return of their striker Alvaro Morata, the club still can’t seem to put together anything consistent. Perhaps letting the gas off the league and focusing on the Champions League will help them in preparation for Barcelona, but it is very unlikely.

Final

Barcelona - Manchester City (2-1)

As displayed through TheTake’s recent TikTok video, Manchester City is in a deep title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, both of which are either not in the Champions League or do not need to prioritize it as much as the league. Man City, however, pretty much must win the treble again. The team will likely be much more exhausted considering the magnitude of the title race this season and the competitiveness of the Prem. Barcelona and Xavi will capitalize off of this when they turn their full attention to the UCL. Real Madrid have done all but won La Liga and Barca has not shot of a remontada. Knowing this, Xavi will turn all attention to the UCL, and with players coming back from injury, they will win the 2024 Champions League trophy.