The Champions League is the most prestigious tournament in European soccer
Thirty-six teams entered the league phase of the competition in September
Four sides are still standing as we get set for the semi-finals of the tournament
The Champions League is the biggest club competition in soccer. Launched in 1955 as the European Cup, it has been held on an annual basis ever since.
Until 1992, the European Cup was a straight knockout tournament that featured only the champions of domestic leagues. These days most major teams in Europe take part every year.
The Champions League is the pinnacle of the European club game. The World Cup might still have more prestige, but the Champions League is widely considered to be home to the highest quality soccer on the planet.
Barcelona remain the favorites to win the Champions League after their victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. Barca blew BVB away in the first leg of their tie and then survived a scare in the return fixture to go through. They will face Inter, who squeezed past Bayern Munich.
The other semi-final is more evenly matched according to the sportsbooks. Paris Saint-Germain have arguably been the most impressive team in the tournament in 2025, but Arsenal showed their credentials by eliminating Real Madrid last time out. The semi-finals will begin later this month.
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Barcelona have not fared well in the Champions League in recent years, failing to reach the semi-finals since 2019. But optimism is on the rise at the Camp Nou after they finished second in the league phase, behind only Liverpool.
Barcelona have had a few problems in La Liga, dropping numerous points to teams they should have beaten. Hansi Flick’s team seem to be saving their best form for the Champions League, so keep an eye on them in the last 16.
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Arsenal are up against it in their bid to win the Premier League title. They are also out of the FA Cup and on the verge of elimination from the EFL Cup, so Mikel Arteta may choose to prioritise the Champions League - especially as Arsenal have never won this competition before.
The Gunners qualified directly for the round of 16 after finishing third in the league phase. That was a good achievement for Arteta’s team, but they need to get some of their injured attackers back from injury as quickly as possible.
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Real Madrid did not have everything their own way in the league phase of the Champions League, losing to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool. But they won their final three matches to secure a place in the play-offs, where they confidently brushed aside Manchester City.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team won the first leg 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, before a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick saw them wrap up the victory in style back in Spain. Madrid, the defending champions, are now the favorites to lift the trophy.
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Only Real Madrid and AC Milan have won more Champions Leagues than Liverpool, who are the favorites to lift the trophy this season. The Reds lost their final match of the league phase, but victories in their other seven encounters saw them top the table.
The Reds have suffered a dip in form domestically of late, but they are still a force to be reckoned with on their day. Liverpool are particularly fearsome under the floodlights at Anfield on European nights.
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Bayern Munich know what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League and they came within a few minutes of reaching the final last season. With the showpiece event in 2025 set to be held at their own stadium, Bayern have additional motivation to go deep.
Vincent Kompany’s men had a mixed time in the league phase, losing three games to finish outside the top eight. They were unconvincing in the play-offs too, only squeezing past Celtic. However, it would be unwise to write Bayern off.
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Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2023/24. They finished top of their group ahead of Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin, before eliminating RB Leipzig, Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the knockouts.
Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League final. The German outfit finished top of their group, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United. They then overcame PSV, Atletico Madrid and PSG to reach the final.
Club | Number of Titles |
---|---|
Real Madrid | 15 |
AC Milan | 7 |
Bayern Munich | 6 |
Liverpool | 6 |
Barcelona | 5 |
Ajax | 4 |
Inter | 3 |
Manchester United | 3 |
Real Madrid are the most successful team in the history of the European Cup/Champions League. The Spanish giants dominated the early years of the competition, triumphing five years on the bounce between 1956 and 1960. They have also lifted the trophy several times in recent seasons.
AC Milan are second on the list with seven successes, followed by Bayern Munich and Liverpool on six apiece.
A total of 22 clubs from 10 countries have won the European Cup/Champions League. England has provided the largest number of individual winners, with six clubs having triumphed, but the might of Real Madrid means Spain has supplied the most victors with 18.
Juventus have finished as runners-up more often than any other team, with seven defeats in the final. Atletico Madrid have reached three finals without ever lifting the trophy.
Nottingham Forest and Porto are the only clubs to have a 100 percent record in the final after competing in more than one of them.
Club | Season |
---|---|
Real Madrid | 2023/24 |
Manchester City | 2022/23 |
Real Madrid | 2021/22 |
Chelsea | 2020/21 |
Bayern Munich | 2019/20 |
Liverpool | 2018/19 |
Real Madrid | 2017/18 |
Real Madrid | 2016/17 |
Real Madrid | 2015/16 |
Barcelona | 2014/15 |
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