RADIO
From Jadon Sancho's standout performance for Borussia Dortmund against PSV Eindhoven to dramatic penalty shootouts securing quarterfinal spots for Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, the UEFA Champions League has been captivating. With Manchester City boasting an impressive home record and Real Madrid eyeing their 15th Champions League title, the competition has provided moments of pure footballing magic eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide.
Hello, everyone. As RotoBaller embarks on its inaugural season covering the UEFA Champions League, this article serves as your guide to the thrilling journey of the Road to London for the 2023-24 season. Our aim is to highlight the season's standout performers, including top goal scorers, assist providers, and key players.
Additionally, we'll offer insights into upcoming predictions for the next round and reveal our top UCL fantasy picks. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we embark on an exciting adventure through the heart of European football.
Road to London 🛣️⚽🏆
Which two teams will make it? @adidasfootball || #UCLFball pic.twitter.com/QdEw6ur9QV
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 20, 2024
Quarterfinal Contenders: The Road To Glory
The remaining elite eight teams in the quarterfinals emerge as formidable favorites to vie for the UEFA Champions League title. Former finalists Atletico Madrid and Dortmund, along with defending champions Manchester City, add significant weight to the competition's pedigree. Meanwhile, Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona boast extensive histories of UCL triumphs.
Although Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal may not have the same illustrious record, both possess formidable squads capable of mounting a serious challenge. Let's delve into the performance of these teams from the group stage until now.
Quarter-finalists confirmed ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/7sYKU5LIbI
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 13, 2024
Group Stage Dominance: Unbeaten Records
Manchester City and Real Madrid were the sole teams to achieve a percent record in the group stage, winning all six matches. Additionally, Bayern Munich set a new UEFA Champions League record by going unbeaten in 40 consecutive group stage matches.
Our record from our last 40 Champions League group stage games 😤
⚽️ 119 goals scored
🥅 29 goals conceded
✅ 36 wins
⚖️ 4 draws
❌ 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 🔥#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/ejBUDvyZBn— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) December 12, 2023
Resilient Gunners
After finishing first place in Group B with 13 points, Arsenal had to overcome a 1-0 setback to FC Porto in the first leg of the Round of 16 and win the second tie on penalties. The Gunners are showing remarkable resilience, surging into high gear as they qualify for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in over a decade.
2010 - Arsenal have progressed to the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2009-10, ending a run of seven consecutive last 16 eliminations in the competition. Finally. pic.twitter.com/ypgVxieVwV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 12, 2024
UEFA Champions League Top Performers
UCL Top Goal Scorers
Kylian Mbappe's double, a brace from Harry Kane, and a goal by Antoine Griezmann in the previous matches have propelled these players to the top of the goal-scoring charts, each with six goals to their name.
⚽️🔝#UCL pic.twitter.com/szUuzbHQ72
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 14, 2024
UCL Top Assist Providers
Bukayo Saka, Raphinha, and Jude Bellingham are currently tied with four assists each, showcasing their ability to set up goals for their teammates.
Other Key statistics (for the remaining eight teams)
Mats Hummels leads in tackles made with 35, demonstrating his defensive prowess. Additionally, Hummels also tops the charts for ball recoveries with an impressive tally of 79. Jan Oblak has made the most saves among all players, totaling 31, highlighting his importance as a goalkeeper for his team.
UCL Quarterfinal Predictions
With three Spanish clubs, two English teams, two German teams, and one French team remaining, all major quarterfinal contenders will have their eyes on Europe's top prize when the 2024 UEFA Champions League final takes place at Wembley Stadium in London. However, deciding which side has the advantage to go all the way requires an in-depth evaluation based on current club form and previous head-to-head data.
Quarter-finals confirmed ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/s7PpLFP0Bn
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2024
Arsenal vs. Bayern
Score Prediction: 1-2
Arsenal's advancement to the quarterfinals is a noteworthy accomplishment; however, the Gunners face a hard test when they play Bayern Munich. In previous encounters, Bayern has dominated, winning seven of the last 12 matchups, including a resounding 5-1 defeat in back-to-back games in the 2016-17 campaign that left Arsenal with an aggregate 10-2 defeat.
Recent data suggests a shift in dynamics, as Bayern is lagging behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, while Arsenal has emerged as the league leader in the English Premier League. Harry Kane, who has scored 14 goals in his previous 19 Champions League games, including an impressive record versus Arsenal, is a notable addition to Bayern's danger.
Considering these factors, Bayern Munich holds a cutting edge in experience and consistency, but the match is expected to be fiercely contested. My prediction leans toward a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the Reds.
Top UCL Fantasy Picks - Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard
4 - Arsenal's heaviest defeats in their history in European competition (all in the UEFA Champions League):
0-4 v Milan in 2011-12
1-5 v Bayern in 2015-16
1-5 v Bayern in 2016-17 (1st leg)
1-5 v Bayern in 2016-17 (2nd leg)Hierarchy. pic.twitter.com/0StwGpLhml
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 15, 2024
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Score Prediction: 2-1
Manchester City's recent 3-1 victory against Copenhagen extends the club's impressive home undefeated record in the UEFA Champions League to 30 games, as well as an unprecedented 10 consecutive victories. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, with an unrivaled 14 Champions League trophies, enters the contest as serious contenders. With both sides retaining perfect records in the group stage, the next match illustrates the classic clash of an unstoppable force opposing an immovable object.
Manchester City leads based on head-to-head statistics, having defeated Real Madrid four times in the previous 10 meetings (three draws, three losses, and four victories). The Cityzens will never forget their 4-0 victory over Los Blancos in the 2022-23 season, which eliminated the Spanish team. Real Madrid will, however, enjoy the home edge in this first leg and will put a lot of effort into beating Pep Guardiola's team to win.
I anticipate there will be a lot of goals scored across both games, and expect Real Madrid will prevail in this first leg.
Top UCL Fantasy Picks - Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland
1 - Real Madrid have only won one of their last six UEFA Champions League matches against Man City (D1 L4), while they have conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game against them in the competition; their most against a side they've faced 5+ times. Heavyweights. pic.twitter.com/4DJnoDBMJ8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 15, 2024
Paris Saint-Germain vs. FC Barcelona
Score Prediction: 1-1
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona's next game seems to be evenly balanced. Both sides have shared an equal amount of victories and defeats in their previous 12 meetings. However, in the most recent 2020-21 season, PSG won Barcelona 4-1, highlighted by a stunning hat trick from Kylian Mbappe at the Camp Nou.
Based on their previous performances, PSG finished second in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund while Barcelona finished first place in Group H. PSG will rely on Kylian Mbappe to score goals when they play at home given that he presently tops the Champions League goal-scoring statistics.
I expect that the first leg of this exciting tie will end in a 1-1 draw because of their comparable strengths.
Top UCL Fantasy Picks - Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, and Joao Cancelo
Mbappé hat-trick 🆚 Barcelona 👀#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/HBzXq6wOHh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2024
Atletico Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Score Prediction: 2-1
Atletico Madrid will face the Black-and-Yellows for the first time in five years, having last met in the 2018-19 season. Diego Simeone's men were quite effective at home in the last round against Inter, securing a 2-1 lead and edging the Italian side on penalties.
However, based on form, Borussia Dortmund is unbeaten in their last eight UEFA Champions League home games (four wins, four draws). The Black-and-Yellows have also scored five goals in their last three away Champions League outings and could pose a challenge to Los Colchoneros. I predict a 2-1 win in favor of Atletico Madrid.
Top UCL Fantasy Picks - Antoine Griezmann, Jadon Sancho, Mats Hummels
Stick around for more UCL Fantasy content coming soon. Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
