I have written a fair amount this year about Bayern Munich’s rise to the top of the soccer world, and along with it the German Bundesliga’s ascension as king of European football. Now, as the semi-final matchups of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League have been set, the Germans are on the cusp of solidifying their seat on soccer’s throne.
The semi-finals draw took place over the weekend and with it the matchups were announced. After narrowly surviving the two-leg quarterfinal with French side Paris Saint-Germain, a team soccer fans will want to keep an eye on in the future, La Liga frontrunners Barcelona await a matchup with Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich.
The other side of the bracket features another Spanish-German bout, with Real Madrid squaring off against Borussia Dortmund, both of whom have spent the domestic season looking up at first-place Barcelona and Munich, respectively.
I would first like to point out, much to my joy, the English Premier League is nowhere to be found in this year’s semis. It is no secret I dislike the EPL and the attention it is given because of the preconceived notion it is the best football league in the world.
I have argued before this is simply not true, and I believe this year’s semifinals exemplify just that.
It is not outside of the realm of possibility—I would even say it is completely probable—the Champions League final will feature two German sides.
PSG proved Barcelona, and the world’s best individual soccer player, Lionel Messi, are not infallible. And when this team meets Bayern in the first leg of the semis, it will quickly discover it needs to be perfect, otherwise the walls will collapse in on it.
Both of these teams can score goals in large quantities, but Bayern holds the advantage when it comes to defense and goalkeeping with arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Manuel Neuer.
I believe, however, this game will come down to possession of the ball and pace of play. Whichever side can manage to take control of the game will put itself into position to reach the final.
Dortmund, despite trailing Bayern in the Bundesliga by 20 points, has been one of only four teams to pressure the domestic league champs this season, handing Bayern one of its three draws—Bayern has only lost one domestic game this season and only three in all play.
This is a team that can never be counted out. One must remember, BVB claimed the Bundesliga title last season.
It would hold to reason a majority of soccer fans would like to see a final between teams from different domestic leagues, but I am not the majority of soccer fans. No, I would much rather see these two domestic foes, Bayern and Dortmund, face each other on the world’s biggest stage for the European crown.
I understand as much as the next person you can never sleep on Barcelona or Real Madrid, and both these teams are very strong. But my gut feeling, and hope, is that we will see an all-German Champions League final. And when—if—we do, the Bundesliga will take its rightful spot at the top of the soccer world.
And it wouldn’t hurt if Bayern Munich came out wearing the crown.
Who do you think will square off in the Champions League final? Does Bayern have enough to get past Messi and Barcelona? Tell Matt who you’re picking by sending him an email at sports@dailycardinal.com.
