UEFA Champions League

The Beautiful Game Writes Another Chapter: Champions League 2025 Review & What's Next

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season wasn’t just another tournament—it was a revolution. From a historic new format to a jaw-dropping final, European football’s elite competition delivered drama, records, and a glimpse into the future. Here’s your deep dive into the season that was and what’s coming next.

The Munich Masterpiece: PSG’s Historic Triumph

On May 31, 2025, under the lights of Munich’s Allianz Arena, Paris Saint-Germain didn’t just win their first Champions League title—they annihilated the record books. A stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan marked the largest margin of victory in a European Cup/Champions League final history, surpassing Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win in 1973 .

• Désiré Doué: The 19-year-old French prodigy stole the show, netting a hat-trick and earning Man of the Match. His fearless runs dismantled Inter’s defense, signaling the arrival of a new global superstar .

• Luis Enrique’s Legacy: The PSG manager became only the second coach after Pep Guardiola to achieve two continental trebles (adding to his 2014/15 Barcelona triumph). PSG’s clean sweep of Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UCL cemented their dominance .

• Inter’s Heartbreak: For Simone Inzaghi’s side, it was a brutal repeat of their 2023 final loss. Despite a heroic semi-final win over Barcelona (7-6 aggregate!), they froze on the biggest stage .

Fun fact: This was the first final since 2004 without an English, Spanish, or German club—proof that the "Swiss model" era is already diversifying glory

The "Swiss Model" Revolution: More Games, More Drama

The 2024/25 season debuted UEFA’s radical format overhaul—and it delivered on its promises :

• 36 Teams, One League: Gone were the traditional groups. Instead, all clubs competed in a single league table, playing eight matches (four home, four away) against seeded opponents. This meant giants clashing earlier—like PSG vs. Arsenal on Matchday 2 .

• Knockout Drama Expanded: The top eight advanced directly to the last 16. Teams ranked 9th–24th entered a two-legged play-off for the remaining spots. This kept the group stage alive until the final whistle—no more dead rubbers! .

• Performance-Based Berths: England and Spain earned extra UCL spots for 2025/26 thanks to their clubs’ 2024/25 European success. This rewarded leagues for depth, not just top-heavy talent .

PSG’s Road to Immortality: Grit Before Glory

PSG’s triumph was no cruise. They finished a modest 15th in the league phase (4W, 2D, 2L), needing the new play-offs to survive :

• Play-off Redemption: Demolished Brest 10-0 on aggregate (7-0 at home!).

• Nail-Biting Knockouts: Edged Liverpool on penalties in the last 16, survived Aston Villa 5-4 in the quarters, and ousted Arsenal 3-1 in the semis.
  Their journey proved the new format’s magic: every match mattered, and momentum trumped seeding.

2025/26: What’s Changing & Who’s In

The Champions League evolves again next season, with Budapest’s Puskás Aréna hosting the final on May 30, 2026 . Key updates:

• England’s Historic Six: For the first time, one nation has six group-stage entrants: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham (UEL winners) .

• Olympiacos’ Bonus Berth: Greece’s champions qualified directly thanks to their high UEFA coefficient, replacing the UCL title holder spot (already taken by PSG via Ligue 1) .

• New Faces: Villarreal (Spain), Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), and Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) return after absences. Celtic, Rangers, and Linfield enter qualifying rounds .

*Full 2025/26 League Phase Confirmed Teams* :

Beyond the Pitch: The Moments That Moved Us

While PSG’s win dominated headlines, the season resonated deeper:

• Linkin Park’s pre-final concert in Munich electrified the Allianz Arena, blending rock anthems with football’s adrenaline .

• Arsenal Women’s parallel UCL triumph (covered passionately on Arseblog) reminded us that European glory transcends gender—it’s about collective obsession .

The Future Is Flexible

The "Swiss model" isn’t just a format—it’s a philosophy. By prioritizing more meaningful matches, dynamic qualification, and rewarding depth, UEFA has future-proofed its crown jewel. As Luis Enrique lifted the trophy in Munich, he didn’t just celebrate a win; he validated a vision .