After the round of 16 draw
Matthäus: “Bayern is one of the big favorites for the title”
02/27/2026 – 3:24 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Lothar Matthäus sees FC Bayern on course for the title despite a difficult draw in the Champions League. Even before the round of 16, he would like to have a fantastic opponent afterwards.
Lothar Matthäus believes FC Bayern can achieve great things in the current season in the Champions League. “For me, Bavaria is one of the big favorites for the Champions League title because of the performances they have achieved so far – both nationally and internationally,” said the Sky expert on Friday at a press conference before Munich’s top Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (6.30 p.m., in the live ticker on t-online).
The draw has shown that Bayern will now face Atalanta Bergamo in the round of 16, who eliminated BVB in the playoffs. “Bayern is the clear favorite for me, especially with the second leg here at home. That should be possible at any time,” said Matthäus to t-online, but at the same time also warned against the top Italian club.
“But we also saw Bergamo against Bayer Leverkusen (3-0; editor’s note) 18 months ago in a Europa League final in Dublin, where they played brilliantly.” The record national player continued: “They now have a new coach and different players, but they remain true to their line. It’s a very robust team, physically very strong, but of course they don’t have anywhere near the quality that FC Bayern has.”
Matthäus was already looking ahead to the round of the best eight teams. As the draw also showed, Bayern would face Manchester City or Real Madrid in a possible quarter-final. “City and Real are no longer as dominant as they once were. I see Bayern stronger there,” said Matthäus.
If he could choose an opponent for Bayern, “it would be Real,” said Matthäus. He currently sees “no real leadership players, everyone has to fight with themselves, Antonio Rüdiger has to fight with himself too. I no longer see the radiant Real as in the last few years.”
Matthäus also commented on Leverkusen’s chances in the round of 16 of the premier class against Arsenal. “You’re going to enjoy this game,” Matthew said. “Atalanta has a chance, Bayer Leverkusen has a chance. But as favorites, the two best teams will go into the round of 16 after the preliminary round.” Arsenal finished the league phase undefeated as league leaders. Directly in front of Bayern, who only had to admit defeat in a direct duel with the Gunners in London.
