UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Stormisover]

Road to UCL final is here

image source

Is this Arsenal season to win the champions league? Arsenal seems to have the easiest route to the final and their current form is enough to beat every team on their way this season.

Luis Enrique request for Chelsea and he has it again. Should we expect a revenge from PSG or another shocking defeat from Chelsea? Time shall tell.

What do you all think? What's your favourite fixture here?

Arsenal has an easy path to the semi final, of course they look like the team that's going to eliminate Bayern Leverkusen and in the Quarter finals elimite either Bodø or Sporting CP depending on the team that qualifies. Things will start getting serious for them from the semi final, easy path means more time to reserve and concentrate on the league. But frankly, football isn't that easy because look at how Bodø got to where they are, of course they were underrated and look at what that has cost the teams that underestimated them, I'm not saying they will eliminate Arsenal when they meet, but any team that's up against them should be careful with them. Personally, Arsenal doesn't have what it takes to beat every team on this side of the table, we are way above the group stages, this is when things gets serious and I don't see Arsenal moving past the semis.

Arsenal is definitely proceeding to the semi final because i don't really see Bayern Leverkusen to be an obstacle to them and again either Sporting CP or Bodo can not stop them from proceeding to the semi final despite the kind of shocker Bodo gave to us against Inter Milan but i won't be that way with Arsenal that is if they made it through this round, but on the other hands Sporting CP are some how a bone to Arsenal's neck like they always get some how strong when it comes to Arsenal but i don't see them putting on such threat again so it is a go for the gunners.

[Akbarkoe]

Actually nothing is impossible and you have seen how Inter Milan was defeated by Bodo/Glimt with such a heavy defeat in two matches, this defeat implies that the Serie A League is declining, the top of the standings has been defeated by this strong newcomer, we can see how Inter Milan did not do much against Bodo/Glimt, or maybe Bodo/Glimt will be a dark horse in the Champions League this season that messes up its opponents

The second leg of the Champions League match produced some odd results like PSG being unable to beat Monaco, Bodo/Glimt beating Inter Milan and Juvestus closing in on Galatasaray.  Even tonight we are seeing similar things happening, such as Fiorentina at home losing to Jagelliona and Fenerbahce beating Nottingham Forest at away after suffering 3 nils defeat jn first leg. I will use this year as a reference when discussing second legs in the future.

Apart from the Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan and Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce matches, the other matches were not strange in my opinion, I may repeat myself, after all Inter Milan is a giant team from Serie a lost to Bodo/Glimt who as an entrant this season in the champions league in both legs Inter Milan could not excel, how should we explain that right? this really does not make sense to me.
Interestingly Nottingham Forest won in Istanbul but lost to Fenerbahce at home in the UEFA Europa League match the impression is indeed strange for these two matches.

[Barikui1]

What a crazy playoff round. It really made us think about impossible things like Inter getting eliminated. But guess what? It actually happened 

I think that what caused the elimination of inter milan was carelessness, because they fail to take Bodo/Glimt serious, even after knowing that it was the same team that beat Manchester City and atletico madrid. When they decided to be serious in the reverse fixtures, it was already late.

So many surprises in the playoffs, now the question is, are we going to see another painful shock in the round of 16? I honestly think yes.

Yes, their may be a surprise, but it's very much unlikely because this stage of the uefa champions league is where the top teams doesn't take smaller teams as they are, they actually take every game very serious because being complacent in the knockout stages is a terrible thing any team can do to themselves.

[colinistheman]

Right this is very annoying, I mean it's too early to match Madrid and Manchester City in the last 16. If it was the last 4 or 8 maybe I would agree. It seems to be true what Courtois said in the post interview against Benfica that they already know who the opponent will be and it is evident that the UCL draw brings them together again with Manchester City.

It is true that it would be a pity if one of these two giants were eliminated in the round of 16. Both teams  are very strong. And both  teams will be fighting for the champions league title.

This is likely to be the most difficult and enjoyable match of the round of 16. Real madrid are strong even though they are not in the best position. At the same time, their  performance is a bit unstable , but they have won both matches against Benfica in the play-offs. They will try to win  against City as well. It remains  to be seen what strategy arbeloa comes up with against guardiola's squad.

[MorganaX]

Actually nothing is impossible and you have seen how Inter Milan was defeated by Bodo/Glimt with such a heavy defeat in two matches, this defeat implies that the Serie A League is declining, the top of the standings has been defeated by this strong newcomer, we can see how Inter Milan did not do much against Bodo/Glimt, or maybe Bodo/Glimt will be a dark horse in the Champions League this season that messes up its opponents

The second leg of the Champions League match produced some odd results like PSG being unable to beat Monaco, Bodo/Glimt beating Inter Milan and Juvestus closing in on Galatasaray.  Even tonight we are seeing similar things happening, such as Fiorentina at home losing to Jagelliona and Fenerbahce beating Nottingham Forest at away after suffering 3 nils defeat jn first leg. I will use this year as a reference when discussing second legs in the future.

Apart from the Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan and Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce matches, the other matches were not strange in my opinion, I may repeat myself, after all Inter Milan is a giant team from Serie a lost to Bodo/Glimt who as an entrant this season in the champions league in both legs Inter Milan could not excel, how should we explain that right? this really does not make sense to me.
Interestingly Nottingham Forest won in Istanbul but lost to Fenerbahce at home in the UEFA Europa League match the impression is indeed strange for these two matches.

Don't forget about the big loss that Florentina suffered themselves after winning comfortably away in Poland but only to put on a miserable performance that almost got them kicked out of the competition if not for an extra time goal that got them a lifeline to salvage their position.

Football is one beautiful game and it's these surprised results that makes the game a lot more interesting for people and pulls a lot of curiosity for the lovers of the sport.

[jakdanyel]

I guess we can say Arsenal are in the semi finals already unless there is a very unexpected result to happen.    They are so lucky with the draw!

Most probably they will face Barcelona / Atletico Madrid in the semi finals then. Even then I see their chance quite high for the finale...

On the other side of the tree, I expect Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the finale.

[sokani]

What a shit draw we get, i mean for us the neutral viewers this is a complete shit, all the strong teams are in the left side, and in the right one we only have two good teams like Barcelona and Arsenal which if doesnt happen anything strange are gonna face each other in the semifinals.

What a uneven draw god.

If you noticed, the teams that qualified automatically are paired with the ones that played the playoff round. PSG and Real Madrid didn't qualify automatically. They played the playoff stage, and the computer paired them with other big teams. I know if they were paired with Sporting Lisbon or Tottenham, who qualified automatically, it would have provided some sort of balance, and you wouldn't be saying this, but it's an automated process, and it wasn't done internationally.

[Agbamoni]

I guess we can say Arsenal are in the semi finals already unless there is a very unexpected result to happen.    They are so lucky with the draw!

Most probably they will face Barcelona / Atletico Madrid in the semi finals then. Even then I see their chance quite high for the finale...

On the other side of the tree, I expect Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the finale.

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

[Adbitco]

What a shit draw we get, i mean for us the neutral viewers this is a complete shit, all the strong teams are in the left side, and in the right one we only have two good teams like Barcelona and Arsenal which if doesnt happen anything strange are gonna face each other in the semifinals.

What a uneven draw god.

I thought I was the only one who saw this, I don't even understand this nonsense new format that was introduced by UEFA, this time around it's even worse. They just parked the top teams to one are moved the rest to the other side, any team that qualifies from the left side must have passed through real hurdles. It's even worse on the Arsenal part, they gave them express ticket to the semi final, at least on the Newcastle and Barcelona part, if any of them wins, they would have to play either Atletico Madrid which is more likely or Tottenham. After this that's when Arsenal is going to meet a real opponent to play against.

[Jaycoinz]

I guess we can say Arsenal are in the semi finals already unless there is a very unexpected result to happen.    They are so lucky with the draw!

Most probably they will face Barcelona / Atletico Madrid in the semi finals then. Even then I see their chance quite high for the finale...

On the other side of the tree, I expect Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the finale.

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

Exactly my taught when I saw all the comments saying arsenal were lucky, i mean the floor was open to everyone to actually make sure they win their games but there were all too poor in performance to do that and arsenal worked extremely hard and won all their games to deserve that slot and even with the draws given to them it's still not over yet because their is absolutely things that can happen that no one would expect I mean it's football for God sake and nothing is guaranteed.

[Juicyhome]

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

I don't also buy the idea that Arsenal are lucky in top 16 fixtures, the finished top of the group Stage and we expect them to get an easy opponent, then again there's no small team in champions League group of 16 , all the team are tough team.

Arsenal has been the best team in the group Stage and they worked hard to win all their games, and if they continue to the end in this form in the champions League, I won't be surprised to see them play in the finals.

[ILuckyGuyI]

And we are facing Liverpool in last 16... This wasn't the thing I hoped for. I wished for Tottenham as Galatasaray would stand more chance against them. I guess this is the end of the road for us unless we get a big win home in the 1st leg. 

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

Because Arsenal were really lucky about it. Haven't you realized how the system of the draw works? Arsenal could have been in Bayern Munich's place instead.

This would mean they were going to face Real Madrid or Man City in case of eliminating Atalanta. But instead they are going to face Bodø/Glimt or Sporting in case of eliminating Leverkusen. 

[hyudien]

I have seen all your comments about the round of 16 draw. I strongly agree with some people who say it is the worst draw ever, some teams have to go through a difficult path to reach the semifinals, while others have it easy, yes that is Arsenal and Barcelona. They are very lucky, but it also reduces my interest because their path to the semifinals is very, very easy.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

I have seen all your comments about the round of 16 draw. I strongly agree with some people who say it is the worst draw ever, some teams have to go through a difficult path to reach the semifinals, while others have it easy, yes that is Arsenal and Barcelona. They are very lucky, but it also reduces my interest because their path to the semifinals is very, very easy.

Very often a team with the easy path to the final doesn’t win it because they are ill prepared and under cooked. Only Barcelona on that right side of the draw has ever won it and their last time was over 10 years ago.

I think the winner of the CL will be one of the teams from the left side of the draw.

[IjawMan]

Bad game it was for Juventus and more bad that Italian big clubs will not be playing in the next round of the Uefa champions league and I can not remember the last time this occured in the history of the league for the Italian clubs.

The whole scenario of Kelly's red card is sensitive and can be argued on but the referee had to make his decision base on what he thinks.

I agree about the uncontrollable position of the player in the air but intentions are what we can not decide from what a player intends to do. For this the referees are some time strict with the rules.

It was not really a bad game for Juventus because they showed class. Scoring three goals with one man out is extraordinary.  They ensured that they defended well and took advantage of any available space to score. I thought the red card was harsh, taking a close and slow look showed that it might be an intentional action.

Atalanta is the only Italian club that made it to the round of 16. They were able to defeat Borussia Dortmund to get a ticket for the next round.

You do not catch on with what I mean by a bad game for Juventus. I mean was that Juventus were unlucky in the match with all their best they gave with a shortage of one man in their squad.

First they had a red card. And with all the class show to scoring three goal with the shortage, still did not make it to the next phase of the competition.

Atalanta was the lest anticipated club in my wildest expectation think for once to make it to the next round. Atalanta surprised me for their quality over B. Dortmund in that match.

[Callido]

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

Arsenal are so lucky with the draw and it is nothing to sound as a desperate fan, if you are. Arsenal will play Leverkusen then Bodo/Glimt or Sporting in the quarter final, the draw favored them in the sense they will surely advance into the semi final, and the hardest game before the final, will either be Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. It is looking like Arsenal ability of advancing into the final is certain, if they can get past  Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

[Akbarkoe]

I guess we can say Arsenal are in the semi finals already unless there is a very unexpected result to happen.    They are so lucky with the draw!

Most probably they will face Barcelona / Atletico Madrid in the semi finals then. Even then I see their chance quite high for the finale...

On the other side of the tree, I expect Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the finale.

Against Leverkusen is Arsenal's luck in this round of 16, Leverkusen with its current form will not benefit them against Arsenal with its great strength.

Not sure, Atletico Madrid Barcelona is not easy to predict, this is a big match so they will definitely do their best, especially Atletico Madrid I think they are more unpredictable than Barcelona, ​​I feel a different aura from them this season, I don't know, maybe that's just my feeling.

You forgot Madrid? Maybe I'm the only one who remembers it.

[mvdheuvel1983]

Everyone is saying "Arsenal are so lucky". When Arsenal made sure they won all 8 games in the round, do you guys think they dont know what they are doing? Did you take them for a fool? This is the kind of result you want to see after finishing 1st in the table. Although Liverpool were not lucky to have such an easy draw but Arsenal are lucky.

There is no easy draw as you think all the teams you see in the round of 16 are all good and strong teams, the team you think will be easy for Arsenal may end up becoming the team that will eliminate them so relax until Arsenal gets to the semi finals before you praise them for winning wll their matches and finish first in the champions League group. Everyone wants to see Arsenal win one trophy this season if they perform this well and end up not winning the champions League the will have a lot of questions to answer because they have been outstanding so far and they deserve the trophy.

[$crypto$]

And we are facing Liverpool in last 16... This wasn't the thing I hoped for. I wished for Tottenham as Galatasaray would stand more chance against them. I guess this is the end of the road for us unless we get a big win home in the 1st leg. 

Same against Juventus some time where Galatasaray was lucky to win with a large aggregate, now they meet Liverpool we believe there is no chance for the Turkish team, not to demean the fact Liverpool will be tougher.

Because Arsenal were really lucky about it. Haven't you realized how the system of the draw works? Arsenal could have been in Bayern Munich's place instead.

The draw has happened and we have to accept this decision, however Leverkusen should not be underestimated even though in meeting Arsenal the team was said to be an underdog.

[puloweh555]

I have seen all your comments about the round of 16 draw. I strongly agree with some people who say it is the worst draw ever, some teams have to go through a difficult path to reach the semifinals, while others have it easy, yes that is Arsenal and Barcelona. They are very lucky, but it also reduces my interest because their path to the semifinals is very, very easy.

The draw looks bad because it all stems from the new UCL format. Last season, I thought the Round of 16 was similar with the big teams or seeded teams meeting so quickly in the Round of 16. Even looking at the Round of 16 draw it feels unfair.

Looking at the teams facing each other in this season's Round of 16, only Barcelona and Arsenal have had a relatively smooth run to reach the semifinals, while the other teams have had to overcome many challenges to reach the semifinals. But among the many matches in the Round of 16, the most interesting one to discuss is Real Madrid vs Manchester City. These two teams seem to meet almost every season, and this time the match is very different. Real Madrid under Albeloa are not yet very stable and Manchester City have recently begun to look solid, especially considering their rivalry in the Premier League where Man City is getting closer to Arsenal at the top of the standings. This match is difficult to predict, but I think both teams have equal chances.

Chelsea against PSG is also intriguing, as it reminds us of the Club World Cup final a few months ago, where PSG lost to Chelsea. Of course, as the defending champions PSG will be out for revenge. Atalanta against Bayern Munich is also intriguing. It's an uneven match, as Bayern Munich are quite strong in terms of quality. But we should look forward to this match, as Atalanta the only team representing Serie A, is certainly eager to stay in the Champions League.