The business end of the Champions League is here, and while some teams are dreaming of European glory, others are left wondering what went wrong. After two weeks of top-tier football, the quarter-finalists have been decided, setting up some blockbuster clashes: Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan, Real Madrid vs. Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona, and Aston Villa vs. Paris Saint-Germain.
The round of 16 had it all—late drama, wonder goals, tactical masterclasses, and heartbreaking exits. As the dust settles, let’s dive into the biggest winners and losers of this stage.
Winner: Luis Enrique & His Transformed PSG
Just a few months ago, PSG seemed destined for another European flop. A poor start to life after Kylian Mbappé, a loss to Arsenal, and struggles against Bayern and Atletico Madrid painted a grim picture. But Luis Enrique never lost faith. Now, PSG look like the real deal.
A thrilling penalty shootout win over Liverpool cemented their status as serious contenders. Ousmane Dembélé, once dropped after a spat with Enrique, is now thriving alongside Bradley Barcola and new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The midfield, anchored by Vitinha, has improved massively, and Marquinhos’ defensive partnership with Willian Pacho has solidified the backline. Add Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics in goal, and PSG suddenly look like a team built to win the Champions League.
Loser: Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’Or Dream
Heading into the round of 16, Mohamed Salah was the Ballon d’Or frontrunner, with 53 goal contributions in 41 games. But PSG’s Nuno Mendes shut him down completely across both legs, and Liverpool crashed out in heartbreaking fashion.
Salah had two golden chances early at Anfield but couldn’t convert. Now, with his Champions League campaign over, his Ballon d’Or hopes have taken a massive hit. Even if Liverpool win the Premier League, his main rivals are still in the competition, making his chances slim.
Winner: Harry Kane’s Historic Run
Bayern Munich breezed past Bayer Leverkusen with a 5-0 aggregate win, and Harry Kane was at the heart of it. The England captain bagged three goals, making him the highest-scoring Englishman in a single Champions League season with 10 goals in 11 games. He also became only the second English player after David Beckham to reach 50 goal involvements in the competition.
Under Vincent Kompany, Kane has evolved into an even more lethal No.9. With Bayern looking strong, his long-awaited first career trophy could finally be within reach. Could a Ballon d’Or campaign follow?
Loser: Xabi Alonso & Leverkusen’s European Struggles
Xabi Alonso has done wonders at Bayer Leverkusen, but their Champions League run ended with a whimper. A red card in the first leg derailed their hopes, and they never looked like bouncing back against Bayern.
Alonso admitted, “Bayern is a different level in this competition.” That’s a tough pill to swallow for Leverkusen fans, who saw their team fall eight points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga and crash out of Europe. This setback could hurt Alonso’s chances of landing a top managerial job in the near future.
Winner: Marco Asensio’s Aston Villa Revival
Few expected Aston Villa to be in the Champions League quarter-finals, but Marco Asensio is making the difference. On loan from PSG, the former Real Madrid star has scored seven goals in his first nine games for Unai Emery’s side, including a brace in their win over Club Brugge.
With PSG up next, Asensio has the chance to prove his parent club wrong. “We want more,” he said post-match. If he continues his form, Villa’s fairy-tale run might not be over yet.
Loser: Diego Simeone’s Same Old Story
Atletico Madrid fans must be tired of this script. Once again, Real Madrid knocked them out of the Champions League. Once again, Simeone played it safe.
After Conor Gallagher’s early goal put Atletico in control, Simeone chose to sit back instead of going for the kill. Real Madrid took advantage, and the match went to penalties, where Los Blancos emerged victorious.
Atletico have spent big in recent years, yet they remain in Real’s shadow. Unless Simeone changes his approach, this cycle of heartbreak will continue.
Winner: Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or Surge
Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick has a clear leader: Raphinha. The Brazilian has been electric, racking up 46 goal involvements this season. His brace against Benfica not only secured Barca’s quarter-final spot but also put him atop the Champions League scoring charts.
With every passing game, Raphinha looks more like the best player in the world right now. If Barca go all the way, he could be holding the Ballon d’Or come the end of the year.
Loser: PSV’s Humiliation Against Arsenal
PSV’s stunning knockout playoff win over Juventus had fans dreaming, but their 7-1 home defeat to Arsenal was a disaster. Peter Bosz’s side looked scared, and even with Arsenal missing key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, they were torn apart.
Their 2-2 draw in the second leg did little to restore pride. This was one of PSV’s darkest European nights, and Bosz may face tough questions about his future.
As the Champions League heads into the quarter-finals, the stakes are higher than ever. Some teams look destined for glory, while others will be left ruing their missed chances. With heavyweight clashes ahead, the drama is far from over.
