The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign has reached its quarter-finals stage, and the first leg of the last eight ties were absolute thrillers between some must-watch teams. Inter Milan managed to stun Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with a fine 2-1 win in Bavaria, courtesy of Davide Frattesi’s late winner. Borussia Dortmund compounded a miserable couple of nights for German teams when they were thumped 4-0 by Barcelona in Catalonia.
Aston Villa performed admirably against the heavily favored Paris Saint-Germain in the Parc Des Princes, taking a first-half lead through Morgan Rogers before ultimately being overpowered and losing 3-1. But the result of the round unquestionably came at the Emirates as a pair of Declan Rice thunderbolt freekicks coupled with makeshift striker Mikel Merino’s clever finish secured a stunning 3-0 win for Arsenal over Real Madrid.
That result has sent shockwaves throughout online Bitcoin betting sites. Before the first leg got underway, establishments such as the popular Thunderpick Bitcoin betting platform had made Los Blancos a 1/2 favorite to progress past the Gunners. Now, they make them a near 5/1 outsider, with Arsenal priced just shy of 1/10 progress. Similar sites offering outright betting have also pushed Real all the way out to 20/1 to win the tournament, with prices on their North London opponents slashed to 3/1.
Only eight teams are remaining in the Champions League this season, but when was the last time each of them managed to go all the way? Let’s find out.
Real Madrid – 2024
Real Madrid are not only the record 15-time champions, but they are also the reigning champions. Their most recent triumph came just last season when they downed Borussia Dortmund at Wembley thanks to second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vincius Jr. They also had some poor finishing on the part of the Germans to be grateful for, as Die BVB could have been out of sight at half time had they taken their chances.
Los Blancos have been the dominant force in the tournament not just historically, but also in recent times. Six of their 15 titles have come in the last 11 years, including a famous threepeat between 2016 and 2018. They have their work cut out if they are to make it 16 this term.
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Bayern Munich – 2020
German giants Bayern Munich are also a continental powerhouse. Their haul of six trophies is the joint third most of all time, level with runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool. Much like Los Blancos, the Bavarians have also enjoyed plenty of success over the last decade or so.
Their last triumph came in 2020, when global events meant that a mini tournament took place in Lisbon in front of no spectators to determine the destination of the trophy. That year, Bayern won three one-off fixtures to emerge with the crown, famously thumping Barcelona 8-2 in the quarterfinals before resoundingly beating Lyon 3-0 in the semis. In the final, they met Paris Saint-Germain, and Kingsley Coman’s second-half header was enough to secure the victory.
Barcelona – 2015
Around a decade ago, Barcelona was the dominant force in European football. They claimed two titles in three seasons in 2009 and 2011 under Pep Guardiola, before making it three titles in six years with another success in 2015. A decade ago, a menacing strike force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar proved far too hot for Juventus to handle in Berlin, with the Blaugrana emerging as 3-1 victors.
That triumph remains their most recent, and it has been ten long years of hurt since. This term, the bookies make them the joint favorites, and it remains to be seen whether they can finally end their long wait for the greatest prize in club football.
Inter Milan – 2010
Jose Mourinho led Inter Milan to the title in 2010, much to the surprise of pretty much everybody. A backs-to-the-wall effort in the Nou Camp saw them edge past Barcelona in the semifinals, much to the delight of their Special One in the dugout. In the final, striker Diego Milito took center stage, netting twice against Bayern Munich in the Bernabeu to secure the Nerazzurri the trophy for the first time in 45 years.
Borussia Dortmund – 1997
Borussia Dortmund last hoisted the famous big-eared trophy back in 1997. That year, they were underdogs against Italian giants Juventus, but with the contest being hosted in Germany – namely Munich’s Olympiastadion – they had every reason to be optimistic. Ultimately, their optimism was rewarded, as a Karl-Heinz Riedle brace as well as Lars Ricken’s wonder goal sealed a 3-1 win.
Die Schwarzgelben has reached two finals since, but those both ended in defeat. Both losses came at Wembley Stadium, losing to compatriots Bayern in 2013 and again to Real Madrid last term.
Aston Villa – 1982
Before this season, Aston Villa hadn’t competed on the grandest stage in European football in 41 years. Despite that, they have made it through to the quarterfinals, but perhaps even more surprisingly, they have also previously won the competition. Back in 1982, they became the sixth straight English winner of the European Cup when they beat Bayern 1-0 in Rotterdam.
Arsenal & Paris Saint-Germain – Never
Neither Arsenal nor PSG have ever won the Champions League. They have both reached the final, with Arsenal losing to Barcelona in Paris in 2006, and the Parisians losing to Bayern in Lisbon in 2020. Will their long wait for the biggest prize in the game come to an end on May 31st?
