Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has thrown his weight behind Paris Saint-Germain as favourites to lift this season’s UEFA Champions League trophy, praising the French side’s consistency and knockout-stage dominance as the competition reaches its decisive phase.

PSG have once again underlined their European credentials by eliminating Liverpool for the second consecutive season, this time sealing a commanding 4–0 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals. Their progression sets up a high-stakes semi-final clash with Bayern Munich, while the other side of the draw will see Arsenal face Atlético Madrid for a place in the final.

Reflecting on the tournament’s intensity and unpredictability, Ancelotti highlighted the entertainment value of this year’s knockout rounds, pointing to several high-scoring encounters that have defined the campaign.

Speaking in an interview with Il Giornale, he said: “I’ve seen some amazing high-scoring games, like Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona and Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid, which were exciting for the fans.”

He also noted that the competition continues to defy expectations, with traditional heavyweights not always having things their own way. According to him, the Champions League remains a stage where teams evolve rapidly and momentum can shift dramatically over the course of a tie.

“The Champions League is a tournament that doesn’t always favour the top teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City, but it’s still a competition where teams can improve and grow,” Ancelotti added.

With the semi-final lineup now confirmed, attention turns to whether PSG can convert their strong run into continental success, or whether challengers such as Bayern Munich, Arsenal, or Atlético Madrid will disrupt their ambitions at the final hurdle.