Champions League: Who will come out on top this season?

April 28, 2026 Oliver Obel

Thirty-two teams began their quest for European supremacy, but now only four remain in the UEFA Champions League. Paris St-Germain, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich stand on the precipice of the continent's most coveted club prize, with the final destination set for Budapest's Puskas Arena.

The semi-final matchups promise high drama: Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid, while reigning champions Paris St-Germain lock horns with six-time winners Bayern Munich. The stage is set for a clash of titans, with two clubs aiming for their inaugural title and two European heavyweights seeking to add to their illustrious trophy cabinets.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid: A battle of resilience

For Arsenal, this season represents a golden opportunity to become first-time champions of Europe. Their journey has been impressive, boasting a stellar record of 10 victories and two draws in 12 Champions League matches, topping their league phase group. They've already demonstrated their mettle against top opposition, including a victory over Bayern Munich in November. However, the Gunners haven't reached a final since 2006, when they were narrowly beaten by Barcelona in Paris.

Their opponents, Atletico Madrid, are no strangers to the final stage, having been three-time finalists themselves. Diego Simeone's side will be looking to bounce back from recent heartbreak in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad. Key to their attack is Julian Alvarez, who has netted nine times and registered four assists in 13 matches for Atleti this season.

European football expert Guillem Balague believes Arsenal holds the edge in this encounter. "I think Arsenal will beat Atletico Madrid in the semi-final," Balague stated. "They will probably be two tight games as both teams have a little bit of difficulty against teams who are compact at the back. Atletico actually do attack better than they used to but they are up against the best defence in Europe."

Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain: A heavyweight clash

The other semi-final pits two of Europe's most dominant forces against each other. Bayern Munich, chasing a remarkable seventh Champions League title – their last coming in 2020 – have already secured the Bundesliga title, allowing them to focus fully on European glory. Their quarter-final victory over Real Madrid, a commanding 6-4 aggregate win, showcased their offensive prowess. Bayern's European tally of 38 goals in 12 games is the best in this season's competition, spearheaded by Harry Kane, who has netted 12 times.

German football journalist Taufig Khalil lauded the English striker's influence. "For me Kane is the captain on the pitch, he is the true leader of that team," Khalil remarked. "It's how he shows his presence in the box, how he shows his presence in the midfield, how he opens the game, and it's how he reacts towards the media."

Paris St-Germain, meanwhile, are the defending champions, having broken their Champions League hoodoo in May 2025 with a resounding 5-0 win over Inter Milan – the biggest winning margin in a final. Luis Enrique's side navigated a play-off to reach the knockout stages and have already dispatched two English sides, Chelsea and Liverpool, including a dominant 4-0 aggregate victory over the Premier League champions.

While PSG aim to retain their crown, history suggests it's a tough ask. Just three of the previous 20 Champions League winners have been first-time champions, a statistic that could weigh on Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, but also highlights the challenge of back-to-back triumphs.

Sources: www.bbc.com