The Champions League is at its halfway point to the semifinals, and recent Wednesday matches confirmed the status of some favorites in spectacular fashion. Barcelona is practically making plans for the semifinals in Milan or Munich after a dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice against his former team.
In Paris, Paris Saint-Germain overcame an early goal from Aston Villa`s Morgan Rogers thanks to two stunning goals and a late goal, securing a 3-1 win. While the scoreline might not fully reflect their dominance, PSG`s performance on the field was truly impressive. Despite still needing to play away against Aston Villa, Luis Enrique`s squad looks more than capable of progressing.
Arsenal made a significant leap towards their first Champions League semifinal in 16 years on Tuesday, defeating Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice scored two exceptional free-kicks, rivaling the week`s best goals, and another goal secured Arsenal`s commanding lead.
Lautaro Martinez also scored a notable opening goal at the Allianz Arena. Though Bayern Munich equalized through Thomas Muller, Davide Fratessi scored again, giving Inter a crucial 2-1 away win against Bayern Munich. This victory propelled Inter upwards in our rankings, detailed below.
UCL Power Rankings
| Rank | Team | Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSG | +1 | This team looks like the strongest in Europe, and certainly the most exciting to watch. A significant departure from previous PSG iterations, they press collectively, share attacking responsibilities, and display evident passion. While often described as lacking superstars, this PSG team boasts incredible talents like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele, and Vitinha. |
| 2 | Barcelona | -1 | Despite some underlying issues, Barcelona is a formidable force. While a tighter quarterfinal could have occurred with better finishing from opponents, their attacking lineup including Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri suggests they can outscore most teams, especially with a potential semifinal clash against strong opposition looming. |
| 3 | Arsenal | +3 | Arsenal`s tactical approach, utilizing a repurposed midfielder in a forward role, may not be the most conventional, but it`s proving effective with consistent goalscoring. With a solid defense led by Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, they might not need to score excessively to advance. |
| 4 | Inter | +1 | While perhaps not quite at the level of the top three, Inter is a serious contender. Their 2-1 away victory against Bayern Munich puts them in a strong position. They possess a robust defense, experienced midfield, and a game-changing striker in Lautaro Martinez, who is capable of delivering crucial performances. |
| 5 | Bayern Munich | -1 | Bayern Munich`s first-leg performance against Inter could have been different had key chances been converted. Despite creating numerous opportunities, they only managed one goal. To advance, they`ll need to replicate their attacking output in the second leg at San Siro, where they will be the underdogs. |
| 6 | Real Madrid | -3 | If any team can overcome a significant deficit at home, it`s Real Madrid. With forwards like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, they have the firepower for a comeback. However, their defense needs to improve significantly to secure progression, even if they manage to score the required goals. |
| 7 | Aston Villa | +1 | Aston Villa is still in the tie, especially with the advantage of playing at Villa Park, known for memorable European nights. However, PSG seemed to adapt to Villa`s tactics in the second half of their match. While their initial plan might not suffice, Emery has the tactical flexibility to adjust and try different approaches. |
| 8 | Borussia Dortmund | -1 | Borussia Dortmund, arguably the weakest remaining team in the Champions League, faced a tough matchup against Barcelona. Barcelona showcased a superior style of play, dominating Dortmund despite some chances for the German side. The match highlighted a clear talent disparity. |
