The Champions League quarterfinals are at the halfway point, and Wednesday`s matches confirmed the status of some top contenders with impressive victories. Barcelona is in a strong position to reach the semifinals 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. Goals from Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvarastkhelia, and a late strike by Nuno Mendes secured a 3-1 win. While the return leg at Aston Villa remains, PSG looks well-equipped to advance.
On Tuesday, Arsenal significantly boosted their chances of reaching their first Champions League semifinal in 16 years, with a convincing 3-0 win over Real Madrid at home. Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kicks, rivaling the goals from Doue and Kvaratskhelia for goal of the week. Mikel Merino also added to Arsenal`s tally.
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 propelled Inter up the power rankings.
UCL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | +1 | They appear to be the strongest team in Europe currently, and certainly the most exciting to watch. This PSG is a significant departure from previous iterations. They press aggressively as a unit and share the attacking responsibilities. While some say they lack superstars, players like Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, and Vitinha are undeniably top talents. |
| 2 | Barcelona | -1 | Despite their strengths, some weaknesses are apparent. If Borussia Dortmund had been more clinical, the quarterfinal could have been closer. Assuming they advance, they may face Harry Kane and Lautaro Martinez next. However, with an attack featuring Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri, they have the firepower to outscore opponents. |
| 3 | Arsenal | +3 | Do they even need a traditional striker? Mikel Merino is proving effective in a forward role. While it might not be the most conventional approach, he has scored six goals since moving higher up the pitch. If their defense, led by Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, continues to perform as they did against Real Madrid, they may not need many more goals. |
| 4 | Inter | +1 | There is a noticeable gap after the top three. Inter, in fourth place, are strong contenders, especially after their 2-1 away win over Bayern Munich. They possess many qualities of a potential champion: a solid defense, a highly experienced midfield, and a game-changing striker in Lautaro Martinez, who looks like a top player capable of delivering in crucial moments at the San Siro. |
| 5 | Bayern Munich | -1 | The first leg could have been different if Kane had converted his early chance. Despite creating numerous chances (20 shots), they only scored once. A positive outlook for the return leg is that replicating their performance at the San Siro might be enough to force extra time. However, facing a deficit, 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 Real Madrid. Forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are well-suited for this task. However, their defense needs improvement to prevent conceding goals, even if their attack can score the required three or more. |
| 7 | Aston Villa | +1 | They are still in the tie, particularly with the advantage of playing at Villa Park, where they have had memorable European nights. However, PSG seemed to figure them out in the second half of the first leg. Unai Emery may need to adjust his tactics for the return match, but he has the talent to explore different approaches. |
| 8 | Borussia Dortmund | -1 | As perhaps the weakest remaining team in the Champions League, they faced a tough opponent in Barcelona, who outplayed them significantly. Despite creating some opportunities, the overall talent gap was evident at Montjuic. |
