Champions League quarter-finalists: Meet the teams

League phase: W8 D0 L0 F23 A4 (1st place)

Round of 16: 3-1agg vs Leverkusen

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Gabriel Martinelli (57)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 8

Last season: Semi-final (L1-3agg vs Paris)

Best European Cup performance: Runners-up (2005/06)

UEFA's Arsenal reporter, Joseph Terry: The league phase can be summed up in one word: perfect. No other team has ever gone through with a 100% winning record, plus Arsenal were top scorers and kept five clean sheets. A hard-fought 1-1 draw in Leverkusen in the first leg of their round of 16 tie was followed up by a comfortable 2-0 home win, and it seems like every campaign Mikel Arteta's side show demonstrable progress in this competition. The Gunners must surely be considered strong contenders for a spot in this year's final in Budapest.

Coach: Mikel Arteta

Assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019, Arteta guided Arsenal to a 14th FA Cup in his first season in charge. After eighth and fifth-placed Premier League finishes in 2021 and 2022 respectively, Arteta's team have been runners-up in each of the last three campaigns.

Key player: Bukayo Saka

Saka came through the ranks before his breakout season with the Gunners in 2019/20. Blessed with pace and fine finishing ability, the right-winger passed 50 league goals and 250 total appearances for the club last term. An FA Cup winner in 2020, he has also played in the last two EURO finals for England.

Did you know?

Arsenal have scored three or more goals in seven of their last ten Champions League home matches.

League phase: W4 D1 L3 F17 A15 (14th place)

Knockout phase play-off: 7-4agg vs Club Brugge

Round of 16: 7-5agg vs Tottenham

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Julián Alvarez (75)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 12

Last season: Round of 16 (2-2agg, L2-4pens vs Real Madrid)

Best European Cup performance: Runners-up (1973/74, 2013/14, 2015/16)

UEFA's Atleti reporter, Juan Díaz: Atleti have turned the Estadio Metropolitano into a fortress. The Rojiblancos won their first three home games, scoring ten goals and conceding just three, only losing the last on Matchday 8 when a top-eight place became unlikely. They returned to winning ways against Club Brugge in the knockout phase play-off second legs and earned what proved a crucial advantage against Tottenham with a 5-2 first leg win in the round of 16.

Coach: Diego Simeone

In his 15th season at the helm having arrived in December 2011, Simeone has qualified for the last 13 editions of the Champions League. As well as winning La Liga twice with Atleti, he has led the club to two Europa League triumphs, two UEFA Super Cups and two Champions League finals. The ultimate European crown has evaded him, though, and remains the one big trophy missing from his cabinet.

Key player: Julián Alvarez

A Champions League winner in 2023, Alvarez has kept up the fine scoring form he showed with Manchester City since joining Atleti in the summer of 2024. He scored seven goals in the 2024/25 campaign but has already surpassed that tally this term, including three goals in the round of 16, and has also provided plenty of assists.

Did you know?

Antoine Griezmann's goal against Frankfurt on Matchday 2 means the French forward has now scored in the Champions League in 12 successive seasons.

League phase: W5 D1 L2 F22 A14 (5th place)

Round of 16: 8-3agg vs Newcastle

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Fermín López (67)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 7

Last season: Semi-finals (L6-7agg vs Inter)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)

UEFA's Barcelona reporter, Graham Hunter: It has been a strange campaign so far for last season's semi-finalists. From the Marcus Rashford-inspired joy of St James' Park and victory over Newcastle to the chastening 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea were distinctly superior, the league phase certainly brought mixed results. However, after an emphatic 7-2 second-leg victory against Newcastle sent them through to the last eight, it seems they are ready to deliver their best in the knockout phase.

Coach: Hansi Flick

Flick guided Bayern to a Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble, also winning the UEFA Men's Coach of the Year award in 2020. After further domestic success the next term, Flick took over the Germany national team, with his tenure ending in 2023. The third German coach in Barcelona's history, Flick led the club to a domestic double last season.

Key player: Lamine Yamal

Fresh from a triumphant and record-breaking EURO 2024 with Spain, teenager Yamal cemented his status as one of the most exciting players in the world last season. He became the youngest-ever player to appear in the Champions League knockout phase at 16 years, 223 days and has broken various other international records since. A generational talent.

Did you know?

Robert Lewandowski became the oldest player to score in a Champions League knockout phase match when he scored twice in the 7-2 win over Newcastle aged 37 years 209 days.

League phase: W7 D0 L1 F22 A8 (2nd place)

Round of 16: 10-2agg vs Atalanta

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Harry Kane (71)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 2

Last season: Quarter-finals (L3-4agg vs Inter)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2019/20)

UEFA's Bayern reporter, James Thorogood: In just over a season in one of the most demanding jobs in world football, Vincent Kompany has restored Bayern's aura of invincibility. The German record titleholders had a point to prove after missing out on the top eight last season and are producing form reminiscent of the Jupp Heynckes, Hansi Flick or Pep Guardiola eras. The loss to Arsenal in London is the only blotch on an otherwise flawless campaign, with a convincing round of 16 triumph over Atalanta securing quarter-final football once more.

Coach: Vincent Kompany

Kompany's first season in the dugout at Bayern had its ups and downs: his side were eliminated in the German Cup round of 16 and the Champions League quarter-finals, but regained the Bundesliga title by a 13-point margin to complete their declared goal for the campaign. Once a defender for Man City and Belgium, Kompany's attacking style guarantees plenty of goals, but also involves risks.

Key player: Harry Kane

Since his summer 2023 move from Tottenham, Kane has been Bundesliga top scorer for two seasons in a row. Has averaged almost a goal a game in the Champions League for Bayern and with Jamal Musiala only recently returning from a fibula fracture, the German champions will be particularly reliant on Kane delivering.

Did you know?

On Matchday 4, Joshua Kimmich made his 100th Champions League outing – all for Bayern. He became the 30th player to reach a century for a single club and the fifth for Bayern after Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm and Oliver Kahn.

League phase: W6 D0 L2 F20 A8 (3rd place)

Round of 16: 4-1agg vs Galatasaray

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Dominik Szoboszlai (83)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 3

Last season: Round of 16 (1-1agg, L1-4pens vs Paris)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84, 2004/05, 2018/19)

UEFA's Liverpool reporter, Matthew Howarth: Last season's league phase winners secured an automatic place in the last 16 for the second campaign running, although it was not all smooth sailing. Galatasaray and PSV both got the better of Arne Slot's team, but eye-catching wins over Atleti, Real Madrid and Inter – not to mention comfortable victories in Frankfurt and Marseille – helped cement the Reds' place in the top eight. Another loss to Galatasaray followed in the first leg of their round of 16 tie, but Slot's charges responded with a confident win at Anfield.

Coach: Arne Slot

It takes a brave man to step into the enormous shoes left by Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, but the Dutchman enjoyed the challenge. The former Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar coach garnered a reputation for fast-paced, attacking football at Feyenoord, leading the team to the Conference League final in 2022 and the Eredivisie title a year later. Slot capped his maiden season at Anfield by bringing the Reds a first league title for five years.

Key player: Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool's captain and central defensive leader, Van Dijk was at his imperious best last term, and when he is at the top of his game there are few forwards in world football who can get the better of him. Now in his ninth campaign at Anfield, the centre-back will want to add to the eight major trophies he has already lifted with the Reds.

Did you know?

Liverpool scored their 500th European Cup goal on Matchday 5 – Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Manchester United, Benfica and Juventus are the only other clubs to reach that milestone.

League phase: W4 D2 L2 F21 A11 (11th place)

Knockout phase play-off: 5-4agg vs Monaco

Round of 16: 8-2agg vs Chelsea

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (82)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 6

Last season: Winners (W5-0 vs Inter)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (2024/25)

UEFA's Paris reporter, Alex Clementson: A rampant 7-2 victory over Leverkusen in October marked three wins from three for Paris, but their seamless progress then hit a snag. Defeats by Bayern and Sporting CP and draws with Athletic Club and Newcastle meant they finished 11th and again had to come through the knockout phase play-offs, where they were pushed all the way by Monaco. They were back to their brilliant best in the round of 16 against Chelsea, cruising through what had looked like a tough challenge with a comprehensive 8-2 aggregate win. Luis Enrique's side have been irrepressible at times, producing performances reminiscent of their title-winning campaign, but occasional lapses in concentration and, however paradoxical it sounds, struggles in converting chances will need to be remedied.

Coach: Luis Enrique

The ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid player won nine trophies during a hugely successful three-year spell in charge of the Blaugrana then coached Spain to the EURO 2020 semi-finals and the 2021 Nations League final. He scooped a domestic double in his first season in Paris before steering them to their first Champions League title in a trophy-packed 2024/25 that also included Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.

Key player: Ousmane Dembélé

After a mixed first term with Paris, the former Dortmund and Barcelona forward proved decisive with 35 goals and 14 assists in 53 games in 2024/25. He was one of the key players in the team's Champions League triumph and finished top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals. Still only 28, Dembélé has also passed 50 caps for France.

Did you know?

Paris had played 104 successive Champions League games without featuring in a goalless draw before the streak ended with their stalemate at Athletic Club on Matchday 6.

League phase: W5 D0 L3 F21 A12 (9th place)

Knockout phase play-off: 3-1agg vs Benfica

Round of 16: 5-1agg vs Man City

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Kylian Mbappé (82)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 1

Last season: Quarter-finals (L1-5agg vs Arsenal)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1965/66, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2021/22, 2023/24)

UEFA's Real Madrid reporter, Graham Hunter: Closely reflecting their domestic form, this has been a campaign of ups and downs for Los Blancos. They've had to cope with a string of repetitive injuries to key players. On occasions, they've shrugged that off; other times, it has been a key factor in their performance level. Defeat at Liverpool was unquestionably the low point, while any victory over Juventus is sweet, but the match that epitomises their campaign was the 4-3 success at Olympiacos. Kylian Mbappé scored four goals and Madrid often looked imperious but, by the end, they were defending a slender lead in a seven-goal thriller. Knocking Manchester City out for a third consecutive season will only strengthen belief that they can go all the way once again and claim a 16th title.

Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa

Madrid announced Arbeloa as Xabi Alonso's replacement on 12 January. A decorated full-back who made 238 appearances for the club as a player, he also played in a Champions League final for Liverpool in 2007. Arbeloa had been in charge of Madrid's B team since June 2025, having spent his entire coaching career since 2020 in the club's youth academy.

Key player: Kylian Mbappé

After a first season of adaptation – which still yielded an impressive 44 goals across all competitions, seven in the Champions League – Mbappé has taken it up a level this year and is leading from the front. The 27-year-old's style and goals make him the standout man in an already star-studded line-up and he will hope to add to his vast trophy haul from Paris, which comes embellished with World Cup and Nations League medals with France.

Did you know?

On Matchday 5, Kylian Mbappé scored the second fastest hat-trick in Champions League history, grabbing three goals at Olympiacos in six minutes and 42 seconds. Mbappé's feat has only been bettered by Mohamed Salah, whose treble for Liverpool against Rangers in 2022 was timed at six minutes and 12 seconds.

League phase: W5 D1 L2 F17 A11 (7th place)

Round of 16: 5-3agg vs Bodø/Glimt

Top Fantasy Football points scorer: Francisco Trincão (69)

UEFA coefficient ranking: 18

Last season: Knockout phase play-offs (L0-3agg vs Dortmund)

Best European Cup performance: Quarter-finals (1982/83)

UEFA's Sporting CP reporter, Carlos Machado: This league phase showed a more consistent, competitive Sporting, with a European maturity and confidence that helped them beat holders Paris and perform well against Bayern in Munich, where they led at one point. The team's identity, the dynamics of the 4-2-3-1, are more consolidated. Even with injuries to important players during the league phase, they have a belief, a drive, that they can do well and it was remarkable that they finished in the top eight by winning in Bilbao on Matchday 8. Even more remarkable was their extraordinary comeback against Bodø/Glimt in the round of 16, where they overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3 on aggregate and progress to a first quarter-final in this competition since 1983.

Coach: Rui Borges

In his first full season at the helm, Rui Borges is fully implementing his vision and tactics after reversing the downward spiral that affected the team during the 2024/25 campaign. The 44-year-old has previously held the managerial reins at the likes of Académica, Nacional, Vilafranquense, Mafra, Moreirense and Vitória SC.

Key player: Francisco Trincão

The winger guarantees moments of magic and unpredictability, and is increasingly consistent with goals and assists. The team rely heavily on him to create attacking opportunities and unlock solid defences, with the former Braga, Barcelona and Wolves man having reached double figures for goals in each of his last three campaigns at Sporting CP.

Did you know?

In the round of 16 Sporting CP became just the fifth team in Champions League history to come back from a first-leg defeat of three goals or more to win.

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