Champions League 2026: Bayern Munich Crush Everyone – Kroos Declares Them Favourites
What a week of football! The Round of 16 in the 2025/2026 Champions League has concluded, leaving eight giant clubs standing tall for the quarter-finals. No one has impressed more than Bayern Munich, who narrowly (but deservedly) edged 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 race for the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 trophy.
Kroos: "Bayern are favourites, no matter what"
Former Bayern icon Toni Kroos didn't hold back when asked about the German side's chances. In an interview following the draw, he stated:
"Regardless of 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 in the group stage, and in the Round of 16, they overpowered 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 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 transitions. 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 of 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 heavyweight clashes must be decided.
How to make the Champions League even more exciting
For us fans who love to immerse ourselves in 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 friends. Why not gather the gang 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 eternal bragging rights.
- Bayern Munich – clear favourites according to those in the know
- Real Madrid or Man City – no easy opponents, but Bayern have home advantage in the return leg
- The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League qualifying brought 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 doubt about it: the spring of 2026 will be a celebration for everyone 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 shooting boots. Get ready for the quarter-finals – they're going to be explosive!