Since the tournament became the Champions League in nineteen ninety two thirteen clubs have lifted the trophy. Real Madrid headline with nine modern era triumphs followed by Barcelona on four and Bayern Munich and Milan with three each. England’s recent surge delivered crowns to Liverpool Chelsea and Manchester City highlighting the Premier League’s rising depth.

Looking at the last decade trends emerge. Five finals finished one nil reflecting caution at the highest level. Extra time decided three and penalty shootouts two illustrating razor thin margins. Real Madrid’s revival peaked in twenty twenty two when they edged Liverpool in Paris to claim a fourteenth all time title cementing Carlo Ancelotti as the competition’s most decorated coach.

Italian representation oscillated. Juventus reached two finals in three seasons but fell to Barcelona and Real Madrid while Inter returned in twenty twenty three losing narrowly to Manchester City. Spanish sides dominated earlier years yet have one finalist in the last four seasons suggesting a shift in balance toward England Italy and France.

France still chase modern validation. Marseille remain the country’s sole European Cup winners dating back to nineteen ninety three. Paris Saint Germain fell short against Bayern Munich in twenty twenty and now stand on the brink again. Victory in Munich would end the Ligue One drought and rewrite discussions about French club pedigree.

These historical crumbs feed narrative appetites. Finals seldom reward favourites automatically. Underdogs from Porto in two thousand four to Chelsea in two thousand twelve seized moments when giants blinked. The stage in Bavaria is set for another chapter in a ledger already bursting with drama.