The Champions League is at its halfway point to the semifinals, and this week`s matches confirmed the status of some of the top contenders in impressive fashion. Barcelona is in a strong position to reach the semifinals, possibly facing a Milan or Munich team, after a dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice against his former club.
In Paris, Paris Saint-Germain overcame an early goal from Aston Villa`s Morgan Rogers with goals from Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvarastkhelia, and a late score by Nuno Mendes. The 3-1 win was more convincing than the scoreline suggests. While they still have a return leg at Aston Villa, Luis Enrique`s squad appears well-equipped to advance.
Arsenal made a significant leap towards their first Champions League semifinal in 16 years on Tuesday, with a resounding 3-0 win against Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice scored two excellent free kicks, rivaling the goals from Doue and Kvaratskhelia for goal of the week, and Mikel Merino added another to secure Arsenal`s comfortable lead.
Lautaro Martinez also scored a notable opening goal at the Allianz Arena. Although Thomas Muller equalized, Davide Fratessi scored again, giving Inter Milan a crucial 2-1 away win against Bayern Munich. This victory propels Inter higher in our power rankings, which you can see in detail below.
UCL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | +1 | This team currently appears to be the strongest in Europe, and certainly the most exciting to watch. They represent a significant shift from previous PSG teams, playing with collective ball-winning and shared offensive responsibilities. There`s a notable sense of team unity and purpose. While it`s often said they lack superstars, players like Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, and Vitinha are undoubtedly top talents. |
|
2 |
Barcelona |
-1 |
Despite their dominant win, some might point to areas for improvement. Had Serhou Guirassy been more clinical, their quarterfinal could have been tighter. Assuming they progress, they next face the challenge of Harry Kane and Lautaro. They might need to rely on outscoring opponents. Fortunately, with players like Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri, they are likely capable of doing just that. |
|
3 |
Arsenal |
+3 |
Perhaps they don`t need a traditional striker after all. Mikel Merino, a repurposed midfielder leading the attack, is proving effective. While his style might not be the most conventional, he`s scored six goals since moving forward. With Jurrien Timber and William Saliba providing a solid defense, he may not need to score many more for Arsenal to succeed. |
|
4 |
Inter |
+1 |
There`s a clear gap after the top three. Inter, in fourth, are contenders, especially after their 2-1 away win against Bayern. They possess many qualities of a potential champion: a strong defense, a highly experienced midfield, and a match-winning striker. Lautaro is performing at an elite level and can be relied upon to perform in the return leg at the San Siro. |
|
5 |
Bayern Munich |
-1 |
The first leg could have turned out differently if Kane had converted an early chance. Typically, Bayern scores more than one goal from 20 shots. A positive outlook for the return leg is that a similar performance at the San Siro could at least force extra time. Despite creating enough chances while chasing the game, Vincent Kompany`s team will be the underdogs next Wednesday. |
|
6 |
Real Madrid |
-3 |
If any team can overcome a significant deficit at home, it`s likely Real Madrid. With forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, they have the firepower for such a mission, although they might need some extra help. Even if Madrid manages to score the required three or more goals, their current defense doesn`t appear capable of keeping a clean sheet. |
| 7 | Aston Villa | +1 | They are still in contention in this tie, particularly with the advantage of playing at Villa Park, known for special European nights. However, PSG seemed to figure them out in the second half, effectively countering Villa`s crossing strategy. While Emery`s initial plan might not work in the return leg, he has sufficient talent to adapt and try different approaches. |
|
8 |
Borussia Dortmund |
-1 |
As perhaps the weakest remaining team in the Champions League, they faced a tough matchup against Barcelona, who outplayed them significantly in a Bundesliga-style game. Despite creating some opportunities, the overall talent gap was evident at Montjuic. |
