Champions League 2026: Bayern Munich are unstoppable – Kroos hails them as favourites
What a week of football! The Round of 16 in the 2025/26 Champions League is done and dusted, leaving eight giant clubs standing for the quarter-finals. No one has impressed more than Bayern Munich, who, by the skin of their teeth (but deservedly so), knocked out a seriously tough opponent. Now a dream quarter-final awaits against either Real Madrid or Manchester City, and European football has its first genuine blockbuster tie in the race for the trophy at the UEFA Champions League Final 2026.
Kroos: "Bayern are favourites, no matter who they face"
Former Bayern icon Toni Kroos didn't hesitate when asked about the German side's chances. In an interview after the draw, he stated:
"Whether it's Real Madrid, my old club, or Manchester City, I see Bayern as the favourites in the quarter-final. They have a depth and a winning mentality that no one else can match right now," said Kroos, who now works as a pundit for German TV.
Bayern showed their hunger right from the group stage, and in the Round of 16, they overpowered their opponents with a 7-2 aggregate victory. With Harry Kane on fire and Jamal Musiala providing the creative spark, it's easy to see why Kroos believes in his former teammates.
Dream opponents await – but Bayern fear no one
Both Real Madrid and Manchester City have the pedigree and quality to win the whole tournament. But Bayern have something extra this season: defensive stability combined with lethal counter-attacks. Plus, they have the home-ground advantage in the second leg at the Allianz Arena, a place where few opponents enjoy playing.
While fans wait anxiously to see who stands between them and the semi-finals, we can already start dreaming about the Champions League 2026 final. Rumours about the host city for the 2027 UEFA Champions League final have just started to swirl, but first, this year's giant clashes need to be decided.
How to make the Champions League even more exciting
For us Aussies who love getting stuck into the big matches, there's no better way to follow along than by creating your own tournament pool. Right now, several international competitions are running where you can design your own quarter-final matchups and compete against your mates. Why not get the crew together and set up a Champions League bracket for the 2026 Football League? It's easy: you pick the winner of each tie right through to the final, and the one with the most correct predictions at the end wins bragging rights or even a dream trip.
- Bayern Munich – clear favourites according to the insiders
- Real Madrid or Man City – no easy beats, but Bayern have the home leg advantage
- The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League qualifying served up several surprises – many of those teams are now out, but the memories live on
- Talk is already turning to the 2027 final, but first, the 2026 trophy is up for grabs
There's no doubt about it: the 2026 season is shaping up to be a cracker for anyone who loves European football. From the tight qualifying matches last July to the dramatic final in May – every step along the way counts. And right now, it looks like Bayern Munich have the biggest smiles and the sharpest boots. Get ready for the quarter-finals – they're going to be explosive!