The UEFA Champions League returns next week with the quarterfinal matchups beginning on Tuesday. We began this season back in the fall with 36 clubs competing in the league phase part of the tournament. After our Top 8 moved on, the other 16 teams played for the final spots in the knockout round. Finally we had a 16 team bracket set, and after one round of competition already, we are down to our final eight teams in the UCL quarterfinals.
Let’s break down these two leg matchups in the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals.
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals Preview
Odegaard and Arsenal face the defending UCL Champions in the quarterfinals
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
The Gunners face the defending UCL Champions in the Quarterfinals. While Arsenal played their way into the bracket with a Top 8 finish in the league phase, Real Madrid had to fight their way past Manchester City in the knockout round. The Gunner destroyed PSV in the Round of 16, winning 9-3 on aggregate. Real Madrid played their crosstown rival, Atlético Madrid, playing to a 2-2 aggregate score before advancing on penalty kicks.
Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan
The German powerhouse faces Inter Milan who have their fair share of recent UCL success. Inter have advanced to at least the Round of 16 in four straight competitions, and were Runner Ups in 2023, losing to Manchester City. These teams have not met since the UCL in 2022, where Bayern beat Inter twice, 2-nil in both matches.
However, Inter’s defense has been phenomenal, allowing just 2 goals in all 10 of their UCL matches. Inter finished in the Top 8 advancing directly to the Round of 16 where they took down Feyenoord Rotterdam 4-1 on aggregate. While Bayern Munich have netted 28 in their 12 UCL matches, they had to play Celtic in the knockout round, and took down Bayer Leverkusen 5-nil on aggregate in the Round of 16.
Can the German’s electric attack find a way to break through this solid Italian defense?
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
Last year’s Runner Ups take on the attacking frenzy of Barcelona. The Spaniards finished 2nd in the UCL league phase and proceeded to beat Benfica 4-1 in the Round of 16. Borussia Dortmund had a tougher path after finishing 10th. They beat Sporting CP in the knockout round and the Lille in the Round of 16 to face Barcelona.
These teams actually played in the league phase part of the competition, as Barcelona beat Dortmund on the road, 3-2. Will. they be able to do so again in this two leg matchup in the quarterfinals?
Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
Last but not least, PSG and Aston Villa square off. Paris Saint-Germain finished the lowest on the league phase table of the remaining squads, finishing 15th and having to play their way into the bracket, unlike Villa who finished 8th. PSG absolutely destroyed Brest in the knockout round, winning 10-nil on aggregate. Next they took down EPL giant Liverpool, upsetting them 1-nil on the road to force PKs and advance.
Aston Villa made very light work of Club Brugge in their Round of 16 matchup, and have also reached the FA Cup Semifinals as well. Could this season be full of hardware for Villa?
UEFA Champions League Betting Odds
Robert Lewandowski and Barcelona are the betting favorites to win the UCL
Odds to Win the UCL
- Barcelona +325
- PSG +325
- Real Madrid +375
- Bayern Munich +475
- Arsenal +700
- Inter Milan +1000
- Aston Villa +2800
- Borussia Dortmund +5000
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