The stage is now set for this season’s UEFA Champions League quarter final fixtures following a series of surprising outcomes in the Round of 16 held in March.
Europe’s elite clubs return to action this week, with eight teams competing for places in the semi final stage. The first leg matches are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, while the return fixtures will be played next week.
The teams that have advanced to the last eight include Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Sporting CP, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona. Only four of these sides will progress to the semi finals later this month.
Tuesday’s Fixtures
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Both sides enter the tie in strong form despite contrasting domestic results at the weekend. Real Madrid suffered a 2 to 1 defeat to Mallorca in LaLiga, while Bayern Munich secured a 3 to 2 win over Freiburg in the Bundesliga. The Spanish giants advanced after eliminating Manchester City in the Round of 16, while Bayern overcame Atalanta. The first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is expected to be closely contested, with the hosts aiming to bounce back from their recent loss.
Sporting CP vs Arsenal
This encounter will take place at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. Sporting progressed after defeating Bodo Glimt, while Arsenal advanced at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen. The Portuguese side will look to capitalize on home advantage after a 4 to 2 domestic victory over Santa Clara. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after their FA Cup exit to Southampton and avoid another setback.
Wednesday’s Fixtures
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Two LaLiga heavyweights meet once again following their recent domestic clash, where Barcelona secured a 2 to 1 victory over Atletico Madrid. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski sealed that win. Atletico will be aiming for a response, but Barcelona will draw confidence from playing at home. Both sides reached this stage after overcoming Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
This tie will be played at the Parc des Princes. Paris Saint Germain advanced emphatically with an 8 to 2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, while Liverpool progressed after defeating Galatasaray 4 to 0. PSG head into the match following a 3 to 1 win over Toulouse, while Liverpool suffered a heavy FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. The Paris encounter is expected to be competitive, with the French champions looking to make their home advantage count.
Providing his assessment of the quarter final stage, Wakanda FC coach, Orode Richard, said:
“The competition finally starts to breathe fire in the quarter final stage.
“Reaching this stage is an achievement in itself—none of these teams stumbled into the last 16 by accident. But from here on, the margin for error vanishes. It only gets harder.”
He added, “That said, I wouldn’t be surprised by a few shocks this week. We saw it in the Round of 16, especially how four Premier League clubs (Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United) were eliminated from the competition.”
When asked to predict the outcomes of the first leg fixtures, Richard stated, “Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Barcelona will all take first leg advantages into the return fixtures next week.”
