Ranking Each Spanish Club’s Chances of Winning the UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid’s trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City was unquestionably the tie of the UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoff round, and fans weren’t about to be disappointed. Los Blancos headed to England amid an injury crisis, with five of their seven usual senior defenders all out injured. Midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde had to fill in at centre-back and right-back, respectively, and both performed brilliantly in an epic first leg.

Erling Haaland gave the hosts a halftime lead, only for Kylian Mbappe to somehow spin home an equaliser shortly after halftime. City again went in front with just ten minutes remaining, with Haaland bagging his second of the game from the penalty spot. But then, Real showed that resilient spirit we have become so accustomed to seeing from them on the continental stage over the last few years.

The visitors equalised for the second time on the night through former City academy product Brahim Diaz in the 86th minute. Then, talismanic midfielder Jude Bellingham managed to bundle into an empty net after a defensive catastrophe in the second minute of injury time to hand his side a stunning 3-2 comeback victory and make them the firm favorites to progress to the last 16.

The result delivered a statement to the rest of Europe. But how do Spain’s other representatives – namely Barcelona and Atletico Madrid – measure up? Here, we rank all three remaining Spanish clubs’ chances of lifting the trophy this season.

Real Madrid sit comfortably as Spain’s best hope of retaining the Champions League crown. Last season, they reigned supreme for a record-extending 15th time as they dispatched Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. This year, they have seemingly shaken off their league phase inconsistencies to emerge as a genuine frontrunner once more.

The victory over Manchester City not only highlighted their depth of quality but also their relentless mentality that remains unmatched on the continental stage. Their squad is brimming with world-class talent. Jude Bellingham has quickly become the team’s talisman and beating heart, adding plenty of dynamism to the midfield alongside the versatile Eduardo Camavinga.

Up front, Kylian Mbappe provides electric pace and clinical finishing, and he now seems to have finally found his footing as the club’s main man. Supported by Vinicius Jr – who continues to dazzle with his flair and creativity – Los Blancos are well positioned to take Europe by storm once more.

The tactical flexibility under manager Carlo Ancelotti is another significant advantage. Against City, Madrid showcased their resilience, clawing back from behind twice before dealing the decisive blow in added time.

Continental experience remains their forte, and the aura of the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg against City serves as an intimidating prospect for any team. The latest sports betting odds seemingly agree. Following their 3-2 first-leg victory, the latest sports betting online odds now make Real a 6.00 second favourite for the trophy behind Liverpool. If they can seal the deal in the return leg, those odds will shorten further.

Barcelona have shown significant improvement on the European stage this season under Hansi Flick. Last term, they made it to the quarterfinals, their best showing in four years, but they still face an uphill battle to reclaim their former dominance. Finishing second in the newly revamped league phase proved that the Blaugrana can hang with the very best on the continent, but it’s still to be seen whether their mental fragility survives in the cut-throat world of knockout football.

Robert Lewandowski remains lethal in front of goal at the age of 35. His nine goals put him second in the top scorer charts behind Borussia Dortmund hitman Serhou Guirassy, and he will be aiming to continue in a similar vein once the Catalans’ campaign gets back underway in the round of 16.

Lamine Yamal and vice-captain Raphinha joined the ruthless Pole in perhaps one of the most fearsome attacking tridents anywhere in Europe. They have combined to score a whopping 66 goals in all competitions between them so far this term, and it has been the emergence of the Brazilian skipper that has been perhaps the most surprising thing about Barcelona’s season. The former Leeds United man was thought to be on his way out of the club last summer, but he has returned with a vengeance and is now considered one of the best wingers in the world.

But despite their progression, concerns linger over their ability to compete against Europe’s elite in the knockout stages. The squad lacks the ruthlessness that has defined Real Madrid’s squad, and injuries to key players like Frenkie de Jong earlier in the season disrupted their rhythm. Add to that the fact that they remain exiled at the Olympic Stadium rather than their spiritual home of the Camp Nou; it would be a huge surprise to see Barcelona get their hands on the trophy this season.

Atletico Madrid thrive in tournaments where tactical grit and defensive stability dominate. Under Diego Simeone, they have consistently reached the latter stages of the Champions League, often frustrating Europe’s heavyweight sides. They reached two finals in three seasons in 2014 and 2016, ultimately being downed by their more illustrious cross-city rivals on both occasions. But this season, Los Rojiblancos look back to their very best.

Atleti’s backline looks reborn with the new boys Robin Le Normand and Clement Lenglet joining the reliable Jose Gimenez. Jan Oblak, in goal, remains the team’s rock when called into action. In midfield, the tenacious spirit of Rodrigo De Paul, Conor Gallagher, and Pablo Barrios provides bucketloads of energy at both ends of the pitch.

In recent seasons, Atleti has missed a reliable striker that can adequately support the brilliance of Antoine Griezmann. This season, they have seemingly found their man in the form of Argentinian World Cup winner Julian Alvarez. The former Manchester City man has top scored with 17 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions, and if he can continue to combine with his mercurial French strike partner, there’s no reason to believe that Atletico can’t turn heads and make it to the latter stages of the tournament this term.