Every season the Champions League delivers unrivalled drama among Europe’s top clubs and this campaign is no different with the best sides on the continent competing once again for the most famous UEFA trophy.
With millions of people tuning in from every corner of the world, the remaining eight teams are set to offer another football spectacle with fans eagerly anticipating four thrilling ties.
As supporters gear up for the rivalries and attempt to make their Champions League predictions by following expert insight and assessing each side’s chances before placing a wager on their favorite team, the coaches and players of Europe’s stellar sides will be gearing up for the toughest of challenges as they bid to make the semi-finals.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
This clash sees European Cup royalty take on one of the new kids on the block. While Real Madrid have won the continent’s major competition a record 14 times, Manchester City added their name to the esteemed list of winners for the first time last season when they triumphed over Italian giants Inter in the final.
As the two sides prepare to do battle, it’s fair to say they know plenty about the other having already met in the previous two campaigns. It was City who were victorious last time out, securing a stunning 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on their way to winning their maiden Champions League. However, in 2022, it was Real who secured bragging rights between the two sides as they came out on top with a 6-5 aggregate victory in the semi-finals which set up a final showdown with Liverpool which they won 1-0 to add another trophy to their collection.
This time around, City boss Pep Guardiola will be aiming to outwit fellow master tactician Carlo Ancelotti. Both clubs boast supreme talent from the defense to the attack and must deal with the same levels of expectancy as only winning is accepted by two fanbases who have come to enjoy success annually.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
While Bayern has been regulars in the Champions League this century, the Gunners endured a testing time towards the end of the Arsene Wenger era and so have spent recent seasons in the Europa League.
However, now back on track under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are shining in the Premier League and Europe and will fancy their chances of getting the better of quarter-final opponents Bayern over two legs.
While Arsenal are pushing Man City and Liverpool for the Premier League title, Bayern are enduring a difficult time domestically and look set to miss out on a first Bundesliga title in 13 years as they trail Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen with less than two months of the campaign remaining. For that reason, the Bavarians will be desperate to salvage their season by triumphing in Europe.
With Harry Kane up front, Bayern will be hoping the former Tottenham striker can get one over his former rival as he did on occasion in the north London derby.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona
These two sides played out one of the most incredible ties in football history back in 2017 and anything close to a repeat would be nothing short of extraordinary.
Barcelona, despite their supreme talent and success in this competition, looked all but out after losing the first leg 4-0 in the French capital. With the away goals rule in place, it meant that should PSG score just one goal at the Nou Camp, only finding the net six times or more would be enough to see them progress.
Amazingly, Barca led by three goals to nil with an hour to go and the game was poised when Edison Cavani scored for the away side. It seemed like a massive blow and surely too great a task for the Spanish giants but famously they managed it, with Neymar scoring a late brace before Sergi Roberto netted a stunning clincher in the 95th minute.
This time around, both sets of fans will be hoping for a much more relaxed event but neutrals will be hoping for just half of that drama from seven seasons ago.
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
This tie sees two sides who have competed at the top for the last decade despite often having to compete for supremacy with mammoth clubs. While Atletico do well to rival Real and Barcelona in La Liga, Dortmund have been the club in Germany to push Bayern hardest before this campaign.
Diego Simeone’s Atleti are famously difficult to get past and thrived with the away goals rule, capable of finding the net and shutting up shop. However, the fact that a particular method of aggregate scoring is no longer in place gives Dortmund a greater chance of progressing. The 1997 Champions League winners may have drawn a blank in two of their six group games this season but with Nicklas Fullkrug and Donyell Malen up front, BVB will fancy their chances of competing with Atletico and reaching the semi-finals.
Summing Up
The Champions League quarter-finals are set to be watched all over the globe and are sure to be thoroughly entertaining ties. While the winners of Arsenal vs Bayern Munich will face the victor of the match between Real Madrid and Man City, Dortmund or Atletico will take on Barcelona or PSG in the other last four match-ups.
At this stage of the competition, every match is huge and it will be fascinating to see which side comes out on top at the historic Wembley Stadium in June.
