The Champions League has reached its quarterfinal stage, with Arsenal, Inter, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain emerging as the final four teams. While PSG`s journey might be considered unexpected given their league phase ranking, the other three teams were among the top performers in the earlier stages. Now, either PSG or Arsenal, both seeking their first Champions League title, are guaranteed to reach the final, while Barcelona and Inter, aiming to recapture past glory, will compete against each other.
With these strong teams remaining, it`s time to assess their chances of lifting the Champions League trophy. Can Arsenal match the attacking prowess of teams like Barcelona or PSG? And is this Inter squad stronger than the one that reached the final two seasons prior?
4. Inter
Arsenal and Inter are very closely matched, making them difficult to separate in these rankings. Lautaro Martinez has been a standout performer in this Champions League campaign, scoring eight goals and playing a crucial role as Inter has progressed deeper into the tournament. Inter boasts an impressive defensive record, having kept eight clean sheets – the most in the competition. Simone Inzaghi’s well-drilled squad can adapt to different game scenarios, whether it`s a tight defensive battle or a high-scoring affair. However, beyond Martinez and Marcus Thuram, questions remain about Inter`s ability to overcome teams with overwhelming attacking force.
Their victory against Bayern Munich is a significant achievement, but Bayern is currently in a transitional phase, aiming to return to Europe`s elite, a position Inter already occupies. Their upcoming match against Barcelona will be a true test of their capabilities against top-tier opposition.
3. Arsenal
Neutralizing Real Madrid`s attack, even if Real Madrid isn`t at their peak, is a remarkable feat. This is especially impressive considering Arsenal fielded a third-choice center-back, Jakub Kiwior, and an 18-year-old left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly. Echoing the sentiment of Matt Busby, `If you`re good enough, you`re old enough,` these young Arsenal defenders effectively limited Real Madrid to low-percentage shots and minimized dangerous opportunities. Even a penalty miss from Bukayo Saka couldn`t derail the Gunners` progress.
Arsenal`s chances of winning the tournament are high as long as key players Saka and Martin Odegaard remain fit. However, against more balanced teams than Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta will need to ensure his team isn`t overwhelmed.
2. PSG
PSG has arguably been the most formidable team in world football since the start of the year. Luis Enrique`s squad demonstrates few weaknesses. The dynamic interplay between Ousman Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is exceptional, and when PSG attacks, stopping them becomes incredibly difficult, often relying on their own errors in finishing. Even their full-backs, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, contribute to the attack, while the midfield maintains excellent balance.
PSG`s main weakness might be the absence of a traditional number nine striker. Their attacking style, rarely sitting back, can lead to both high-scoring wins and high-scoring losses. While few teams can consistently match their attacking output over two legs, a matchup against Arsenal could turn into a grueling battle.
1. Barcelona
Similar to the tight ranking between Inter and Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG are incredibly close at the top. The slight edge for Barcelona comes from the impact of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Both Barcelona and PSG share similarities: they maintain relentless attacking pressure, possess talented young players like Lamine Yamal, and are capable of deciding matches in various ways. A Champions League final between these two would be a dream scenario, although significant challenges lie ahead for both teams.
A striker of Martinez`s caliber could exploit Barcelona’s offside trap, presenting a considerable challenge for Barcelona`s defense. However, the key for their opponents will be a strong team defensive effort to contain Barcelona`s attack. Even if their primary attackers are contained, players like Pedri can emerge from midfield to pose a threat. Barcelona seems to have solutions for every challenge, making them the slight favorites over PSG.
Dominic Ashworth