UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Bobrox]

If we want to compare all the English teams that have qualified for the round of 16, Arsenal looks more promising than the rest because they're in a better form to win any club that crosses their path on their way to the finals. I don't see any other club from EPL that's capable of going far because their still not in their best form. Champions League trophy is for a team with the best from that season.

I'm not going to underestimate any club in the round of 16 because they're all champions.

Arsenal is the only one of Premier League teams qualified to knock out round without defeating and success winning all 8 matches at the phase league round, comparison with four teams premier league left although success qualifying directly but not get impressive performance since the phase league round matches.
However winning all 8 phase league round matches can't guarantee easily for Arsenal to win Champion League tittle, last two season has the premier league team Liverpool with promising performance at phase league round by leading the top position but eliminate early at knock out round from PSG as the teams have to play the playoff round for qualifying to 16 of round, winning all matches in phase league round can't guarantee for Arsenal has easily way when playing at knock out round match.

[Misbah2002]

I just think it was a one time thing for Benfica. Like a fairytale for them surely which helped them qualify for playoffs. But that must be it... I don't see them getting beyond this stage.

I think Real Madrid won't lose even away in the first leg this time. Then they should be able to finish it easier at Bernabeu. I'm aware of inconsistencies in their performances. But this can't be the stage they say goodbye to the CL.

About last game which won by Benfica surely I have to be agreed about this but now coming games are going to be not easy for Real Madrid again because José Mourinho is always man who know how to handle things his opponent is new with not good experience in Champions League.

Real Madrid is having upper hand to win and go through for next round, but they needed to be give their best for having spot into round of 16 first game needs to have some legitimate result which helps Real Madrid at Bernabéu in second leg away game is going to be important for their further journey into Champions League Benfica is having good confidence and experience which will help them for having their best again.

[slapper]

~

I don't think this way of thinking is correct. How can you be  judging or writing Manchester United off  the season even before the game unfolds feel so unfair and football can changes quickly, form,  confidence and momentum can shift within months. Looking at how competitive the league is,  saying that Arsenal are the only team in the EPL who have played well and played tough teams in the league shows a lack of understanding towards the league in general.

When we look at the Champions League,  the teams who get rewarded and end up winning are not usually the best teams going into the competition,  but the teams who are the best by the end of the competition,  so overall I think it is a little hasty to write off United,  and even more hasty to write off other clubs in the competition.

They're even qualifying for Champions League. That's basically done. England's getting five spots again because literally every English club is still alive in Europe. Spain and Italy are dropping team after team. Arsenal went perfect in their group beat Bayern and Inter.

So what are we even talking about? Whether they're GOOD? That's different.

Your point about Champions League rewarding whoever's best at the end - absolutely. But mate, they're rotting nearly one and a half goals in every single game. That's the worst record of any team in the top five in defense. You don't think Real Madrid or Bayern won't take advantage of that? The team in 2008 had fourteen straight clean sheets. This lot win 3-2 and be like they have reinvented football.

Enjoy the run while it lasts. Bruno's flying, the attack's unpredictable, Carrick seems to know what he's doing.

[Abbatty]

I just think it was a one time thing for Benfica. Like a fairytale for them surely which helped them qualify for playoffs. But that must be it... I don't see them getting beyond this stage.

I think Real Madrid won't lose even away in the first leg this time. Then they should be able to finish it easier at Bernabeu. I'm aware of inconsistencies in their performances. But this can't be the stage they say goodbye to the CL.

About last game which won by Benfica surely I have to be agreed about this but now coming games are going to be not easy for Real Madrid again because José Mourinho is always man who know how to handle things his opponent is new with not good experience in Champions League.

Real Madrid is having upper hand to win and go through for next round, but they needed to be give their best for having spot into round of 16 first game needs to have some legitimate result which helps Real Madrid at Bernabéu in second leg away game is going to be important for their further journey into Champions League Benfica is having good confidence and experience which will help them for having their best again.

You look at this Real Madrid team this season and you said the Benfica win was a one time thing for them, have you watch Real Madrid games and see how bad they are this season especially in defending. Well maybe Benfica won’t get through this playoffs and that just on maybe but for sure Benfica will cause Real Madrid real problems in both leg of this game. Real Madrid have been a shadow of the team we use to know them to be and seeing them playing in the playoff prove that point.

Well the playoffs is not that far again and we these arguments will be put to test. One thing for sure, there will be upset in the playoffs, a big team will be knocked out and let just hope it not Real Madrid because it something definitely Jose morihno can pull off.

[KTChampions]

The Premier League is a slightly different story than the Champions League, so Arsenal simply needs to focus on winning their next Premier League matches. However, if their focus is diverted just because they're in the Champions League, there's a chance Manchester City could continue to challenge Arsenal at the top if they aren't approached by another team from below or by the other two teams in the Premier League's top four.

City are still formally in the title race, so they are in the same position as Arsenal, they need good results in both places. Moreover, City is in a worse position than Arsenal, since Arsenal has at least the right to make two mistakes and they still remain the leaders. By the way, if we take into account that Real will win against Benfica (I think everyone will agree with this assumption), then in the 1/8 with a 50% probability we will see a Real - City pairing. These are the two games around which City will be forced to base their entire strategy, possibly even sacrificing their focus in the Premier League.

[jakdanyel]

Arsenal is the only one of Premier League teams qualified to knock out round without defeating and success winning all 8 matches at the phase league round, comparison with four teams premier league left although success qualifying directly but not get impressive performance since the phase league round matches.
However winning all 8 phase league round matches can't guarantee easily for Arsenal to win Champion League tittle, last two season has the premier league team Liverpool with promising performance at phase league round by leading the top position but eliminate early at knock out round from PSG as the teams have to play the playoff round for qualifying to 16 of round, winning all matches in phase league round can't guarantee for Arsenal has easily way when playing at knock out round match.

Arsenal looked really incredible during league phase. This is true. But we shouldn't overlook the good look of English teams in general too in the same phase.

There were 6 teams from the Premier League and 5 of them finished in top 8. Only Newcastle stayed out by 2 points.

Now I wonder how many of them will reach further stages. Will they make use of this number advantage?

[m4r1o]

I totally disagree with you that Michael Carrick didn't introduce any new strategy at Manchester United, because Ruben Amorim stated it very clear that Bruno Fernandes and Kobie Manoo can't start for Manchester United, and it made Ruben Amorim sideline Kobie Manoo, but when Manchester United management sacked Ruben Amorim for his poor performance and hired Michael Carrick as interim manager, Michael Carrick deployed a new strategy that allowed Bruno Fernandes and Kobie Manoo to start for Manchester United at the time, and Michael Carrick's strategy plays a role in what Manchester United are currently enjoying now.

He has certainly introduced some new things, but it takes time for the players to use new strategies and tactics in a stable and regular way like a pro.
Don't be so impatient to evaluate a coach who hasn't even been playing with this team for a month yet.

[Derekfunds]

The Premier League is a slightly different story than the Champions League, so Arsenal simply needs to focus on winning their next Premier League matches. However, if their focus is diverted just because they're in the Champions League, there's a chance Manchester City could continue to challenge Arsenal at the top if they aren't approached by another team from below or by the other two teams in the Premier League's top four.

City are still formally in the title race, so they are in the same position as Arsenal, they need good results in both places. Moreover, City is in a worse position than Arsenal, since Arsenal has at least the right to make two mistakes and they still remain the leaders. By the way, if we take into account that Real will win against Benfica (I think everyone will agree with this assumption), then in the 1/8 with a 50% probability we will see a Real - City pairing. These are the two games around which City will be forced to base their entire strategy, possibly even sacrificing their focus in the Premier League.

Both Manchester city and Arsenal are doing well in champions league and in premier league and yea, Arsenal has more advantage than Manchester city in both sides especially their performance, it will be very hard for any of the champions league teams to defeat Arsenal as it stands because of how good Arsenal is now but that doesn't mean they can not fuck up and still lose everything. Both Arsenal and Manchester city are under pressure in the premier league because any mistake can cause a lot of tragedy. Arsenal will go far in the champions league but I'm not sure if they will win the premier league yet.

[Creeper0]

City are still formally in the title race, so they are in the same position as Arsenal, they need good results in both places. Moreover, City is in a worse position than Arsenal, since Arsenal has at least the right to make two mistakes and they still remain the leaders. By the way, if we take into account that Real will win against Benfica (I think everyone will agree with this assumption), then in the 1/8 with a 50% probability we will see a Real - City pairing. These are the two games around which City will be forced to base their entire strategy, possibly even sacrificing their focus in the Premier League.

Manchester City are not in the form to win the Champions League, it is not possible to win the Champions League with the performance they are doing this season. They will have to return to full form from the start of the knockout stage, otherwise they will not be able to go far. I am not too worried about Arsenal at the moment, they just have to play seriously. Real Madrid's victory against Benfica is still not easy, but there is a possibility that Real Madrid will win. We must be prepared for unexpected results.

[giorgione]

Real Madrid definitely looks like they are doing decent under Arbeloa but that doesn't mean that they are going to keep going like this forever. They have lost that Benfica game for example which caused them to be out of top eight in UCL and caused them to have two more games this year which is a shame.

So it is going to matter if they win this game or not, they took advantage of the week Barcelona lost a few weeks back and dropped the point to a gap, but they can't afford to lose any points until Barcelona does, so they need to keep this going.

Arbeloa is certainly a great coach who is bringing out the best in the team but we cannot say that the risk of not being able to get out is not there, it is clear and can happen at any moment, I understand that these are delicate moments but this is the moment to bring out the team's character and try to win as many matches as possible even those that seem the most difficult.

[Antotena]

Arsenal is the only one of Premier League teams qualified to knock out round without defeating and success winning all 8 matches at the phase league round, comparison with four teams premier league left although success qualifying directly but not get impressive performance since the phase league round matches.
However winning all 8 phase league round matches can't guarantee easily for Arsenal to win Champion League tittle, last two season has the premier league team Liverpool with promising performance at phase league round by leading the top position but eliminate early at knock out round from PSG as the teams have to play the playoff round for qualifying to 16 of round, winning all matches in phase league round can't guarantee for Arsenal has easily way when playing at knock out round match.

I'm not satisfied with this hype around Arsenal because teams that seems to be the best at the beginning of the Champions League doesn't walk pass the quarter final stage. Arsenal is good without a doubt but the fact that they have loss good match they could have won send a very bad signal, they can get compromised with any team if we enter into the knockout stage and other stages as we progress into the final stage of the Champions League.

I'm more invested in what Real Madrid is going to do in the playoffs session with Benfica. If they get revenge and are able to beat Benfica in their features, maybe we are going to have a history where a team that was almost evicted in the Champions League, went to the play off only to come back to the next stage and win the League. If only this is possible then I can say we are making a history here but Real Madrid that we all know can't do this right now.

[Humblevirus]

Arsenal is the only one of Premier League teams qualified to knock out round without defeating and success winning all 8 matches at the phase league round, comparison with four teams premier league left although success qualifying directly but not get impressive performance since the phase league round matches.
However winning all 8 phase league round matches can't guarantee easily for Arsenal to win Champion League tittle, last two season has the premier league team Liverpool with promising performance at phase league round by leading the top position but eliminate early at knock out round from PSG as the teams have to play the playoff round for qualifying to 16 of round, winning all matches in phase league round can't guarantee for Arsenal has easily way when playing at knock out round match.

Winning all games in the group stage doesn’t guarantee that a team is going to win the Champions League, because any team can drop form at any time. But currently, if we have to predict the favorite team to win this season’s Champions League, many people are going to pick Arsenal as the favorite team to win the league based on their current form. Despite that, football is unpredictable, so you can just go ahead and pick a team that is not in form as the favorite team to win the Champions League, and that is what really happened even last season. PSG was not among the top four favorite teams to win the Champions League last season based on their form, but later they picked great form and people are now seeing them among the favorite teams to win the league. In fact, many people see Inter Milan as the favorite team to win the league more than PSG. So, in the knockout stage, no one actually knows whether Arsenal will escape the knockout stage or not, but based on their current form, I have confidence that Arsenal will pass through the knockout stage.

[Mrbluntzy]

Arsenal is the only one of Premier League teams qualified to knock out round without defeating and success winning all 8 matches at the phase league round, comparison with four teams premier league left although success qualifying directly but not get impressive performance since the phase league round matches.
However winning all 8 phase league round matches can't guarantee easily for Arsenal to win Champion League tittle, last two season has the premier league team Liverpool with promising performance at phase league round by leading the top position but eliminate early at knock out round from PSG as the teams have to play the playoff round for qualifying to 16 of round, winning all matches in phase league round can't guarantee for Arsenal has easily way when playing at knock out round match.

What will it take to give Mikel Arteta the UEFEA Champions League trophy already? He's been very consistent with brilliant results and this is no time to relent, always coming out on top and winning games as if he's in a random league. We're talking about the UEFEA Champions League here and a team like Arsenal is winning games consecutively, they're the current best team in Europe.

Do you know how Arsenal fans rate Mikel Arteta? They believe he can lift a treble for the club this season because this is the longest consistency the manager have come to accomplish so far. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Gunners are preparing for the bigger games and winning them is definitely their ease. Gunners improved massively and this is what we ought to be talking about, I'm quite rooting for Arsenal to win a treble this season, the English premier League, the Carabao cup where they tend to face Manchester City in the final and finally the UEFEA Champions League trophy, they can do it, do you believe?

[Ndabagi01]

Arsenal looked really incredible during league phase. This is true. But we shouldn't overlook the good look of English teams in general too in the same phase.

There were 6 teams from the Premier League and 5 of them finished in top 8. Only Newcastle stayed out by 2 points.

Now I wonder how many of them will reach further stages. Will they make use of this number advantage?

I doubt if they will make use of that advantage. After the group stage matches, going into the round of 16 looks more fierce for all teams and your performance in the group stage games does not completely mean that you’ll make it pass the round of 16 easily. It is still going to be on how each team put in efforts in their round of 16 games that’ll determine if they’ll make it to the next stage further on.

There was a season Liverpool finished at the top of the standings after the group stage games, but going into the round of 16, they were eliminated. I’m not sure if same will happen to the team that’s topping the table, but teams that made it though to the round of 16 directly shouldn’t feel too comfortable that any team they pair them with in the champions league will give them an automatic win to the quarterfinals.

[$crypto$]

I really want to see what is having for us this stage of Champions League, if you ask me for sure we are gonna have one or two upsets in this stage, i cant know or risk in which games but i feel it.

Galatasaray, Monaco and Brugge are my picks to be the cinderella, Brugge have a big chance since this Atletico Madrid is a complete mess right now, and Brugge already know how to beat big teams.

Bodo/Glimt is also an underdog team that I pay attention to considering that they have managed to perform well several times against the favorite team, it's just that in this play-off round against Inter Milan which is a little difficult for Bodo/Glimt to win, you just see how Inter's performance is now far impressive in Serie A including UCL.
Atletico Madrid is also an inconsistent team, still we think Atletico Madrid will be much better in this round they are unlikely to perform badly.

[Jegileman]

Manchester City are not in the form to win the Champions League, it is not possible to win the Champions League with the performance they are doing this season. They will have to return to full form from the start of the knockout stage, otherwise they will not be able to go far. I am not too worried about Arsenal at the moment, they just have to play seriously. Real Madrid's victory against Benfica is still not easy, but there is a possibility that Real Madrid will win. We must be prepared for unexpected results.

Real Madrid should first face their match in the knockout games before thinking on how they’ll farewell to win the champions league trophy. Real Madrid have been playing not quite well and I really don’t like how they’re not being able to manage themselves well professionally in the champions league. They have a very big task ahead of them, so they’ll need to first be able to catch up with many things, if they really want to achieve success this season like every other season. Playing against Benfica may not look like a big deal to them, but after their defeat against them that stopped them from advancing to the champions league round of 16 directly, they’re now a team they’ll need to be careful with when they play against each other again.

[Zigabel]

Manchester City are not in the form to win the Champions League, it is not possible to win the Champions League with the performance they are doing this season. They will have to return to full form from the start of the knockout stage, otherwise they will not be able to go far. I am not too worried about Arsenal at the moment, they just have to play seriously. Real Madrid's victory against Benfica is still not easy, but there is a possibility that Real Madrid will win. We must be prepared for unexpected results.

This season the champions league is very likely not to be won by Manchester City, they actually are not doing as better as they should that will give us the confidence that they will be able  to win the Champions League this season, except  they probably improve, PSG even looks like they are in a better position to wanting to win the Champions League trophy

[DiMarxist]

Snip

This season the champions league is very likely not to be won by Manchester City, they actually are not doing as better as they should that will give us the confidence that they will be able  to win the Champions League this season, except  they probably improve, PSG even looks like they are in a better position to wanting to win the Champions League trophy

You should not be too quick to concluded concerning any team because they are not playing well. Football is one thing that is very dynamic a team may be struggling today and the next day mY just pick up form. Don't forget last season's champions League winners PSG almost lost our in the group stages as they were not in form initially as they could only managed a playoff. But immediately after the playoffs PSG went from struggling to becoming unbeaten and eventually won the champions League. So in as much as Manchester City may not be playing well they are still a threat when it comes to the champions League.

[GbitG]

If we want to compare all the English teams that have qualified for the round of 16, Arsenal looks more promising than the rest because they're in a better form to win any club that crosses their path on their way to the finals. I don't see any other club from EPL that's capable of going far because their still not in their best form. Champions League trophy is for a team with the best from that season.

I'm not going to underestimate any club in the round of 16 because they're all champions.

This season Arsenal is the lonely warrior who are just representing on behalf of English Primer league. Except for them, no other time are that quality to be call form appreciation.... This season Arsenal are the only team who are just pushing harder and harder to get recognize for the trophy besides them no other team are having the same capacity to give us a good displays at most tussling competition....

In UEFA champions league competition there is only one team who are just undisputed form the beginning of the season and also having capped such nice displays that is Arsenal. Even big team like PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid having a less progress than Arsenal. If they maintain their performance level til the end then definitely they can win the title without any hesitation.

[Asiska02]

Both Manchester city and Arsenal are doing well in champions league and in premier league and yea, Arsenal has more advantage than Manchester city in both sides especially their performance, it will be very hard for any of the champions league teams to defeat Arsenal as it stands because of how good Arsenal is now but that doesn't mean they can not fuck up and still lose everything. Both Arsenal and Manchester city are under pressure in the premier league because any mistake can cause a lot of tragedy. Arsenal will go far in the champions league but I'm not sure if they will win the premier league yet.

We are unsure of Arsenal winning the premier league because of their inconsistent form that can be shown by them at anytime. Although, the premier league looks to be of reach to them than the champions league, so they’ll have to show a more better performance and play better in all of their remaining matches to be played in the champions league as they advance further in the competition. Manchester City may look more focus to win the premier league than the champions league. So Arsenal will definitely face a hard time winning the premier league and at the same time improve their game conditions going forward in the round of 16 in the champions league competition.