Every Club’s Route to Champions League Final Ranked From Easiest to Hardest

All remaining Champions League sides know their paths to the showpiece event.

William Saliba is preparing for a second Champions League semifinal. | Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images

The route to the Champions League final has been set since since the round of 16 draw.

Kinder to some than others, the draw forged some tantalizing double-headed duels across the continent, but there was one particular point of interest that appeared after all the balls had been selected.

The Champions League bracket appeared rather lopsided. One half of the draw was notably tougher than the other half. The misfortune of the eight teams forced to fight on a particularly star-studded battleground has been celebrated by the remaining clubs, who boast a much simpler route to glory.

But which teams have the easiest and toughest paths to the final?

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The Champions League bracket is narrowing to a fine point. | FotMob

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4. Arsenal

Arsenal have a great chance to win their first Champions League title. | Franco Arland/Getty Images

The general consensus following the draw’s conclusion was that Lady Luck shone brightly on Arsenal. The Gunners were placed on the “Blue Path,” which is the much more straightforward of the two routes to the final, and were handed a clash with Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16—their reward for finishing first in the league phase.

Surprise package Sporting CP were squeaked past in the quarterfinal, before a battle with Atlético Madrid. Tough fixtures, yes, but they could have been much harder.

Round	Potential Opponents
Semifinal	Atlético Madrid
Final	PSG, Bayern

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3. Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid will be pleased with their last 16 draw. | Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto/Getty

Atlético were arguably handed the easiest tie of the last 16. Sure, Tottenham Hotspur boast some quality individuals, but they came into the tie in truly disastrous form and were comfortable swept past.

Diego Simeone’s side faced a clash with Barcelona, and battled through to a tough test against Arsenal. The Gunners won the league phase clash with Atléti 4–0.

Round	Potential Opponents
Semifinal	Arsenal
Final	PSG, Bayern

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2. Paris Saint-Germain

PSG will be pushed hard in their title defense. | Valery HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

A repeat of last summer’s Club World Cup final was staged in the last 16, PSG facing off against the Chelsea side that demolished them. Despite the reigning European champions still operating below last term’s standards, they convincing thumped the Blues.

PSG knocked Liverpool out of Europe for a second season in succession, setting up an almighty clash with Bayern Munich.

Round	Potential Opponents
Semifinal	Bayern
Final	Atlético, Arsenal

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1. Bayern Munich

Bayern will fancy their chances against anyone. | Wart Brinkerhof/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Bayern Munich eased into the last eight after racking up 10 goals across two legs against Atalanta. Real Madrid awaited the Bavarians in the quarterfinals and conceded six goals during a bonkers series.

The Bundesliga champions will then have to overcome PSG in the semis before one of Atlético or Arsenal in the showpiece fixture. If Bayern are to win the trophy, they will have to do it the hard way.

Round	Potential Opponents
Semifinal	PSG
Final	Atlético, Arsenal

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