Schweinsteiger’s European ranking: Bayern strong, but Arsenal currently ahead | OneFootball

FC Bayern made another statement with their 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the DFB Cup quarter-finals. The Munich side held their own in an intense match and progressed to the semi-finals for the first time since 2020. But it wasn’t just the sporting result that got people talking – a statement from Bastian Schweinsteiger also made people sit up and take notice

The 2014 world champion was on duty as an ARD expert and analysed scenes from the record champions‘ recent past before kick-off. When a clip from the surprising 2:1 defeat against FC Augsburg was played, a remarkable comment was made. Schweinsteiger spoke of FC Bayern as the „second-best team in Europe“

A classification that initially came as a surprise – after all, the Munich team had certainly shown fluctuations in the previous weeks. But Schweinsteiger clarified his statement indirectly: if he had to name the best team in Europe at the moment, his choice would be Arsenal FC

Arsenal ahead of Bayern – but narrowly

photo: Getty Images

A look at the current Champions League season provides the reason for this. The Gunners dominated their group, collected a strong 24 points, conceded just four goals and were also the best team offensively with 23 goals. Arsenal also prevailed 3:1 in the direct duel with Bayern in the preliminary round – deservedly so, according to many experts

What’s more, the team from London is currently leading the field in the Premier League and is in impressive form. For Schweinsteiger, the overall package is obviously decisive – stability, efficiency and consistency at the highest level

Nevertheless, FC Bayern are also in an excellent position internationally. With 21 points, the Munich side finished second in their group and went straight through to the round of 16 and are still among the favourites to win the trophy. Vincent Kompany’s team are a real threat thanks to their mixture of experience, individual class and attacking power

Possible reunion in the top flight?

The question of whether Arsenal and Bayern will meet again in the rest of the Champions League remains exciting. Such a duel would have the character of a final – at least if you take Schweinsteiger’s ranking as a basis

The former Bayern captain, who also played for Manchester United after his glorious time in Munich, is likely to have clear sympathies in the event, but he also knows that nuances are often decisive in the knockout rounds

And perhaps this is exactly what soccer shows time and time again – that even the „second best team in Europe“ can beat the best if everything comes together at the decisive moment.