(VIDEO) Champions League Quarterfinals Set
The Round of 16 concluded with a flurry of goals that sets the stage for a spectacular next phase: 68 goals were scored, a figure that reflects the competition’s level and intensity.
The matchups feature high-caliber clashes. Paris Saint-Germain, who crushed Chelsea 8-2, will face Liverpool, who defeated Galatasaray 4-1. This tie comes with an interesting fact: they have never drawn in the Champions League. In six meetings, both sides have three wins each, and in the two direct knockout ties between them, the Parisian side came out on top.
European Classics and Historic Rivalries
There will also be a true European classic. Real Madrid, who eliminated Manchester City with a commanding 5-1 victory, will take on Bayern Munich, who thrashed Atalanta 10-2. In the past, Bayern were the Spanish side’s bogey team, but that story has changed: the Bavarians have not beaten Madrid since the 2011-12 season and are now on an eight-game winless streak against them.
In another tie, there will be an all-Spanish showdown. Barcelona will face Atlético de Madrid in a series that could serve as revenge for the Catalans after their recent Copa del Rey elimination. In the Champions League, the two sides have met twice before, both times in the quarterfinals, and on both occasions the team managed by Diego Simeone advanced.
An Open Tie and the Road to the Final
The final matchup features Sporting Lisbon, who eliminated the tournament’s dark horse Bodø/Glimt, and Arsenal, Premier League leaders who knocked out Bayer Leverkusen. This will be their second meeting in the Champions League. The only previous encounter came last season, when the “Gunners” secured a 5-1 win in Lisbon. The European record favors the English side, with three wins in seven matches, while the Portuguese side’s only victory came in the 2022-23 Europa League, when they eliminated Arsenal on penalties.
A spectacular set of quarterfinals awaits. The road to Budapest is becoming increasingly demanding… and even more exciting.
