The draw has been made for the quarter final stage of this year’s Champions League. PSG will host Barcelona; a return to London for Harry Kane as Bayern Munich play Arsenal; while over in the Spanish capital, Atletico Madrid will await Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will stage Manchester City in what will be the draw of the round.
In addition to knowing the draw, the fans providing the spirit and support also will be aware of who their team could play in the semi finals.
- Atletico Madrid/Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain/Barcelona
- Arsenal/Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid/Manchester City
An exciting few matches which will take place on April 9th and 10th. The reverse fixtures will be played a week later on the 16th and 17th.
RM // MC
The two best teams in the world right now. These two were the favourites from the start of this tournament and that statement has not changed. However, only one can survive while the other must perish in this ferocious battle we spectators must experience. They met last season in the semi finals with the side from Manchester winning outstandingly 5-1 on aggregate. A quick brace from Bernardo Silva (23′, 37′) put the game beyond the superlative talents of Real. It was the season before (2021/22) where the titanic of score lines settled the tie. A 6-5 victory across both fixtures was the outcome in favour of the Spanish side. If not for the late, late resurgence of Real Madrid, Manchester City will have found themselves playing in the final against Liverpool (who had dismantled Villarreal in their semi final).
This is surely going to be a tie of the highest quality. From Ederson to Haaland weaves the excellent Bernardo Silva as KDB sprays superb passes all over the pitch. But the experience of the Croatian, Luka Modrić and the pace of Vinicius Junior will look to push aside their talented opponents.
A // BM
Arsenal, back in the Champions League since 2017, where it was Bayern Munich that sent them packing their bags. Their team has gone under a large reshuffle since that fateful year. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel and Declan Rice have all come in and transformed this London team. Bayern Munich last won this competition in 2020 when they beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 courtesy of a Kingsley Coman goal. Could he be fit in time to play Arsenal?
It has not been plain sailing for Bayern as it has been in previous seasons with the meteoric rise of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso was playing against Arsenal back in 2017 and is now leading the charge for the Bundesliga over his former side. Arsenal will have to hold back a familiar face in the form of Harry Kane who continues to search for his first major piece of silverware. The Londoners know what he is capable of and his goalscoring form has not faded one bit since transferring to Bayern.
PSG // B
Kylian Mbappé has already decided he wants to transfer to Real Madrid this summer but for now he plays for Paris Saint-Germain. This Barcelona side are not what they once were, having last one the Champions League in 2015. Since they are 11 points off Real Madrid in the league, this is a great opportunity to try and go far in the competition. They have scored 16 times in this season’s tournament, three goals more than their next opponents. This match will be Barcelona’s first quarter final in five years – this match up should be an exciting feature.
Since appearing in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich, PSG have been knocked out in the semi finals by Manchester City; the RO16 by Real Madrid; and the RO16 last year by Bayern Munich. Two teams going head-to-head who possess some of the best players around but struggle to progress far. This could be an exciting fixtures.
AM // BD
Diego Simeone’s side will face Edin Terzić’s Borussia Dortmund on April 10th in Madrid. The team kitted out in yellow and black lifted the famous trophy in 1997 against a tough Juventus side. They will look to pass through Atlético in order to set up a meeting between either Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona. In a competition such as this, you must play the best teams and these last eight sides will provide mouthwatering football for all to witness.
Atlético Madrid are still without their hands on the Champions League and are a team that many would like to see win. They suffered two cruel defeats to their fierce rivals Real Madrid in the years 2013/14 and 2015/16. Twice in the current Champions League format and once in the original European Cup, will the year 2024 be theirs?
In my view, there will never be a better tournament than the Champions League. It is a combination of the best players, the brilliant goals, underdog stories to be remembered and young players getting the nod from manager’s who see a bright future for them.
Only eight teams remain in this battle for a very famous old trophy.
RGE
Pen to paper 