Champions League 2026: Bayern Munich dominate – Kroos declares them favourites
What a week of football! The Round of 16 in the 2025/2026 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), 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 real 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 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 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 even in the group stage, and in the Round of 16, they overpowered their opponent with a 7-2 aggregate win. With Harry Kane on fire and Jamal Musiala providing the creative spark, it's easy to see why Kroos believes in his former teammates.
Nightmare opponents await – but Bayern fear no one
Real Madrid and Manchester City are both 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 feel comfortable.
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 us Kiwis who love getting stuck into the big matches, there's no better way to follow along than by setting up your own tournament pool. Right now, several international comps 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 Football League 2026? It's simple: you pick the winner of each tie all the way to the final, and the one with the most right at the end wins a dream trip or just eternal bragging rights.
- Bayern Munich – clear favourites according to those in the know
- Real Madrid or Man City – no easy beats, but Bayern have the home leg second
- 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
Let's be honest: the spring of 2026 is shaping up to be a cracker for anyone who loves European football. From the tense qualifying matches last July to the dramatic final in May – every step along the way counts. And right now, it looks like Bayern Munich are the ones with the biggest smiles and the sharpest boots. Get keen for the quarter-finals – they're going to be explosive!