With the semi-finalists officially set for this season’s UEFA Champions League, the countdown to the June 1 final at London’s Wembley Stadium is officially on – and could feature several of the biggest stars of this sport.
Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund were the first teams to book their place in the last four by eliminating Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively on Tuesday. Real Madrid and Bayern Munichmeanwhile, punched their tickets on Wednesday, with Manchester City and Arsenal returning home in the process.
The semi-finalists have geared up for several fascinating final clashes, although some are understandably more exciting hopefuls than others. Here’s a ranking of this season’s potential Champions League finals, all set to entertain.
4. Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid
One of these matchups has to rank last, but this potential finale makes it to last place quite easily. Real Madrid may be the favorites to win this competition, regardless of their opponent, but Dortmund are the clear underdogs in the final four. A victory for the La Liga leaders would seem a foregone conclusion well before kick-off, although many would like to see Dortmund cause an upset.
3. Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
Bayern would also enter this match as favorites, but what’s interesting about this potential final is that Thomas Tuchel’s side have been remarkably inconsistent this season. The Champions League was a saving grace in a season otherwise not worth remembering, which included a 2-0 defeat to Dortmund last month. There is also the sentimental value of the domestic match at Wembley, since the last time the venue hosted the Champions League final both these teams were in attendance. Bayern won the trophy that day, and if they are in the final this time around, they could do it again to avoid the prospect of their first season without a trophy in over a decade. Oh, and there’s that little angle that Tuchel made his name as Dortmund manager.
2. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich
Having two of Europe’s super clubs in the final seems like the most fitting thing for a Champions League final, especially considering the stars of each team. Two of the game’s top scorers – Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane – would face off for their first Champions League title. Additional layers of intrigue to this final include the possibility of Kane lifting his first major trophy in his hometown and the prospect of Mbappe ending his farewell tour on the ultimate pinnacle.
One more thing to consider that could knock this match off the list: It’s the trophy that PSG has been fervently pursuing since Qatar Sports Investments took over the club over a decade ago. If they won it a year after City, it would only add to concerns about investment in the game by sovereign wealth funds, who appear to be the biggest powerful players in the sport at this stage.
1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid
This final would also feature the image of a potential clash between PSG and Bayern in which two of Europe’s best clubs will face off for the continent’s biggest title. The biggest narrative hanging over this Champions League season, however, has been Mbappe’s future, so perhaps the most fitting ending would see his current team face the team he is expected to join before the end of summer. It would be difficult to predict how this would play out, but the end result would remain as a narrative for Mbappe’s next season, no matter where he ends up.
The update on PSG’s victory still stands, which could add a less-than-glamorous veneer to this Champions League season when all is said and done.
Don’t miss CBS Sports Golazo Network’s Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our team brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game from every corner of the globe, Monday to Friday, all year round.
