Champions League 2026: Bayern Munich Crushing All Opposition – Kroos Declares Them Favourites
What a week of football! The Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 is done and dusted, leaving eight giant clubs ready for the quarter-finals. No one has been more impressive than Bayern Munich, who, by the skin of their teeth (but deservedly), knocked out a very tough opponent. Now, a dream quarter-final awaits against either Real Madrid or Manchester City, and European football has its first true blockbuster clash in the hunt for the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 trophy.
Kroos: "Bayern are favourites, no matter what"
Former Bayern icon Toni Kroos didn't need a second invitation when asked about the German side's chances. In an interview after the draw, he stated:
"No matter if it's Real Madrid, my old club, or Manchester City, I see Bayern as the favourites in the quarter-final. They have a squad 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 steamrolled their opponent 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 backs his former teammates.
Nightmare opponents await – but Bayern fear no one
Both Real Madrid and Manchester City are teams with the pedigree and quality to win the entire tournament. But Bayern have something extra this spring: defensive stability combined with lethal counter-attacks. Plus, they have the home advantage in the second leg at the Allianz Arena, a place where few opponents enjoy playing.
While fans eagerly await 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 must be decided.
How to make the Champions League even more exciting
For those of us who love to get fully immersed in the big games, there's no better way to follow along than by creating your own tournament pool. Right now, several international contests let you design your own quarter-final matchups and compete against friends. Why not get the gang together and set up a Champions League bracket for Football League 2026? It's simple: you predict the winner of each tie all the way to the final, and the one with the most correct predictions at the end wins a dream trip or just everlasting football bragging rights.
- Bayern Munich – clear favourites according to those in the know
- Real Madrid or Man City – no easy opponents, but Bayern have the home leg advantage
- The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase threw up several surprises – many of those teams are now out, but the memories live on
- Talk is already starting about the 2027 final, but first, the 2026 trophy needs to be awarded
There's no two ways about it: the spring of 2026 will be a celebration for everyone who loves European football. From the tense qualifiers 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 shooting boots. Get ready for the quarter-finals – they're going to be explosive!