The Champions League Quarterfinals are here, and with four matchups featuring Europe’s best and most legendary clubs, everything is to play for as the tournament moves into the late stages. Here is your look at the first leg matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Inter Milan at Bayern Munich
A rematch of the 2010 Champions League final, Inter Milan’s trip to Munich will put a lot of pressure on their defence as the final team from Serie A left in this year’s Champions League has exhibited tremendous resolve to not concede, while their attack rests on the leg of Argentine Lautaro Martinez. The round of 16 saw Inter comfortably put themselves past Dutch side Feyenoord while the current Serie A table leaders have been juggling a reduced squad that is taking part in three competition, as Inter is seeking the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia as well this season. With a few outs like Denzel Dumfries, Inter will look to at least put a goal on the board for their away leg, as Marcus Thuram and the aforementioned Martinez lead the attack.
Bayern Munich will be hoping Harry Kane is fit, with a somewhat comfortable lead in the Bundesliga table, they dominated proceedings against their most immediate domestic rival, Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16. The loss of Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies has been a big blow for Bayern, who are down two centrebacks and possibly their first choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, while the veteran midfielder Thomas Muller is finishing up his storied career with Bayern at age 35.
Both teams don’t inspire a lot of confidence right now with vulnerability and fatigue a real factor, playing at home, Bayern should muster something, but Inter are hard to break down and a stalemate would suit them before the return leg in Milan. Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Real Madrid at Arsenal
A shocking loss to Valencia on the weekend was a setback for Real Madrid for their La Liga title hopes, and will spur Arsenal to believe they can pull off an upset victory hosting the Spanish giants in London. Aurelien Tchouameni will not be present in the midfield for Real Madrid for this clash, and Real Madrid continues to be lacking in the back, as they also had to battle Real Sociedad to reach the Copa Del Rey final recently. Beating a disappointing Manchester City in the Round of 16 is a big name scalp, but Arsenal still carries the hopes of the Premier League in this matchup. While they have falling well behind in the Premier League title race, Arsenal remain a solid second in the league and have been good at home in the UCL this campaign.
Arsenal’s biggest worry is not having a clear striker as Mikel Merino has stepped into an emergency role while Bukayo Saka is back from injury. Missing Raheem Sterling and Riccardo Calafiori is significant, and it’s hard to see Real Madrid failing to light up the scoreboard. For all their problems in the back, the attack with Englishman Jude Bellingham looking to find form in his home country, remains potent. Look for fireworks, with Arteta’s Arsenal and Ancelotti’s Real Madrid coming away level in the first leg. Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Borussia Dortmund at Barcelona
A 1-1 draw with the in-form Real Betis in La Liga action on the weekend showed that FC Barcelona is suffering from fixture fatigue at this point, as the Catalan giants are in the final of the Copa Del Rey (d. a slumping Atletico Madrid), they remain ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. Perhaps Europe’s most potent attack, they have have visions of winning the Champions League, amidst continued off field drama about their financial condition that has left Dani Olmo’s status in limbo since December.
Under Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund has improved a bit in the Bundesliga but they remain far off the pace of the top teams this season and are still fighting to reach a European competition place at the end of the season.
Barcelona are heavy favorites in this matchup and will be looking to leave little doubt for the return leg at the home of Dortmund’s famous yellow wall. Barcelona won 3-2 in Dortmund earlier this season, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski lead the attack for Hansi Flick while Gavi, Ferran Torres and others are midfield options and add spice. Dortmund’s attack with Serhou Guirassy and other talents is potent and they dominated Freiburg on the weekend. Barcelona look prone to concede, but can Dortmund slow down the attack? The loss of Nico Schlotterbeck for the rest of the season is a huge blow for Dortmund’s backline and leaves them in a difficult position. Prediction: Barcelona 3 Dortmund 1
Aston Villa at PSG
PSG enjoyed clinching (yet another) Ligue 1 title on the weekend, as they can now devote all their efforts to winning the Champions League title that has eluded the wealthiest club in France. Young and in-form this PSG side led by Ousmane Dembele has dominated both Ligue 1 and most of the Champions League, even in their loss to Liverpool they were the superior side for 80+ minutes of the game, and they responded in the away leg, winning at Anfield in the Round of 16.
Aston Villa lacks PSG’s star power but they are undefeated for 7 straight matches and a win over Nottingham Forest on the weekend gives them a better shot at finishing in the Champions League qualification zone for the Premier League. Marco Asensio will be a player to watch, as he was loaned from PSG. Playing at home, Unai Emery’s side are not going to be intimidated, but this is a side juggling three competitions, as Aston Villa is in the FA Cup semifinals. PSG’s attack and pressing play should prove too much for the English side, and it’s a question if the second leg in Paris will be competitive. Prediction: PSG 3, Aston Villa 1
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
