By the Time This Is Published, the Champions League Final Will Be Two Matches Away

This week features a set of highly anticipated Champions League fixtures that will help secure a team's place in the Champions League final. In what has been a phenomenal tournament thus far, here are the four teams set to do battle for the ultimate honors in global soccer.

Paris Saint-Germain

The incumbent champions continue their reign of dominance over the European landscape, as the French giants won their first Champions League trophy last year after decades of heartbreak. Ballon D'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé leads their attack after having an excellent, legacy-defining campaign last year. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, and amplifies a stunning attack that includes Désiré Doué and midfielders Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz. Not only does the team have one of the best attacks in the world, but they also carry a lights-out defensive core, led by Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi and Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes. The incumbent champions are no doubt the best team in the world, but it will be a tough task for them to keep their crown.

FC Bayern Munich

One of the most dominant teams in the world right now, Bayern Munich holds a staggering 15-point lead over the Bundesliga and clinched a championship a couple of matchweeks ago. Ever since Harry Kane joined the club, they have been able to turn water into wine, and now the British superstar has his sights on a trophy he nearly achieved while at Tottenham: the Champions League. But Kane isn't alone; he's flanked by Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, making this arguably the strongest forward core in the tournament. In net, as always, is the ever-reliable Manuel Neuer, who is trying to cement his legacy as arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all-time. While they have standouts in the midfield like Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, Bayern operates on the fundamental "the best defense is offense", and their attack will surely prove fatal in this championship. Their greatest challenges are yet to come.

Atlético Madrid

Atlético have been the primary underdogs of the tournament. The side sits 4th in LaLiga currently; however, that didn't stop them from topping league leaders Barcelona in the Quarterfinals. They have a very strong midfield, led by the talented Antoine Griezmann, alongside Thiago Almada and Obed Vargas. Julián Alvarez leads their attack, and Jan Oblak is in the net. While they are coming off a brutal stretch that saw them lose the Copa Del Rey Final, as well as a match against lower-table side Elche, their opponents are also in their own doldrums, and Atlético have shown that, no matter the opponent, they are willing to go to war on the pitch.

Arsenal

The struggles of Arsenal are well-documented, but they have the opportunity to rewrite the narratives against Atlético. Arsenal have a decent attack, with Bukayo Saka coming off an injury for the matches alongside Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz. Their main show is their defense. In the midfield, they have Martin Ødegaard, Max Dowman, and Declan Rice. Their back line has dealt with many injuries, but is currently headlined by William Saliba, and they have Spanish star David Raya in the net. Arsenal plays very slow soccer, and highlights defense over attack. They can easily suffocate opponents, but that is if their opponents don't capitalize on their own defensive mistakes.