Four teams remain in the race to be crowned kings of Europe, with Paris St-Germain, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayer Munich battling for glory at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. PSG aim to defend the trophy they won for the first time in 2025, while Arsenal and Atletico Madrid hope to lift the Champions League for the first time in their history. Bayer Munich, seeking a seventh title and their first since 2020, are also in the mix after a dominant campaign.
Form, Pedigree and Path to the Final
Arsenal have been the model of consistency in this season’s competition, winning 10 of their 12 matches and finishing top of the league phase. They boast a strong defensive record and already have victories over both Bayer Munich and Atletico Madrid this season. Wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting in the knockout rounds have set up a semi-final clash with Atletico. However, their lack of recent final experience — last appearing in 2006 — and struggles in the Premier League raise questions about their mental resilience.
Atletico Madrid, often seen as underdogs, have rediscovered their competitive edge under Diego Simeone. Despite falling short in La Liga and losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad, they stunned Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Julian Alvarez has been instrumental, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 13 appearances. His creativity and composure could be key as Atletico aim to reach their fourth final in club history.
Bayer Munich’s Momentum and PSG’s Quest for Back-to-Back
Bayer Munich have already secured the Bundesliga title and are firing on all cylinders under Vincent Kompany. Their 6-4 aggregate win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals showcased their attacking power, with Harry Kane leading the line. The England captain has 12 goals in the competition and is supported by dynamic wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise. With 38 goals in 12 games, Bayern boast the best attack in this season’s tournament.
PSG, the defending champions, ended their long wait for European glory with a 5-0 final win over Inter Milan in 2025 — the largest margin in Champions League final history. They have repeated their path this season, coming through a play-off and eliminating two English sides — Chelsea and Liverpool — with a commanding 4-0 aggregate win over the latter. Manager Luis Enrique has instilled resilience, but concerns remain over squad depth and domestic struggles.
Expert Predictions: Who Will Lift the Trophy?
European football expert Guillem Balague believes Arsenal will overcome Atletico Madrid in a tight semi-final, citing Arsenal’s superior defence. He sees PSG as having more momentum than Bayern and predicts a final between PSG and Arsenal. While PSG would be favourites, Balague suggests Arsenal could thrive under less pressure and potentially win.
Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s Arsenal reporter, notes that the Gunners play with more freedom in Europe and have already beaten both Bayern and Atletico this season. However, he warns that their current form and emotional state — especially if they miss out on the Premier League title — could hinder their chances. He believes Arsenal can reach the final, but winning depends on domestic outcomes.
Sara Menai, French football journalist, doubts PSG can win back-to-back titles, citing a lack of squad depth and domestic inconsistency. She sees Bayer Munich as the strongest side, capable of defeating PSG and overpowering either Atletico or Arsenal. German journalist Taufiq Khalil agrees, calling it “Bayern’s year” and praising Harry Kane as the team’s true leader. He believes if Bayern reach the final, they will win — with PSG their most likely challenger.