The 2023/2024 champions league has entered its next knockout phase with eight teams fighting it out for a place in the final. This stage will feature a double-legged tie after which the four qualifying teams progress to the semi-finals.
The draws held on Friday afternoon already sees interesting matchups and here’s a rundown of the ensuing fixtures.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their fine campaign with a showing in the tournament’s last eight. The Bavarians, having a quite shaky season, needed a return leg comeback against SS Lazio to progress to this stage having lost the initial encounter 1-0.
Arsenal also needed a Leandro Trossard goal to cancel out Galeno’s astonishing strike in the first leg. After 120 minutes of football, David Raya proved hero in the shootout, palming two penalties to earn the club a quarter-final berth.
Thomas Tuchel will expectedly depart the club side this summer following their abysmal campaign. Currently the club trail Xabi Alonso’s in-form Bayer 04 Leverkusen by 10 points in domestic inclinations having also crashed out of the DFB Pokal.
Arsenal on the other hand are still engrossed in a title race with Manchester City and Liverpool in the English league.
The last knockout meeting between these sides ended in a 10-2 aggregate victory for Bayern Munich. Should Mikel Arteta’s side find a way past them in this round, it will be their first semi-final appearance in the competition since 2006 under Arsene Wenger.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez is another manager expected to complete his tenure come the end of the incumbent season.
Barcelona’s fall from grace in the competition gradually came to light in the season’s following the illustrious 6-1 comeback against the Paris based outfit.
Since then much has transpired between both clubs with the likes of Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele featuring for the sides.
Paris Saint-Germain come into this tie under the tutelage of former Barcelona manager and 2015 tournament winner Luis Enrique who’s much keen on delivering the club its first UCL trophy.
Kylian Mbappè has announced he’ll not be renewing his contract at the club side, with his pending departure, the fairytale end to his time in Paris would be an accompanying European trophy.
Barcelona’s return leg victory saw the club progress at the expense of Francesco Calzona’s new look side while Paris Saint-Germain sent another Spanish side packing in Real Sociedad S.A.D in the earlier stage.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
The most decorated team in the tourney’s history — Real Madrid FC will take on defending champions Manchester City in the competition’s next phase.
Rodri’s second half goal was more than enough to pip Simeon Inzaghi’s Inter Milan to the trophy in 2022/2023. Whilst City look to defend their title, this tough draw duly quels the theory— the club only phases lesser opposition in the tournament. It doesn’t come harder than the Los Blancos in the UEFA champions league.
Real Madrid bolstered by the arrival of golden boy Jude Bellingham over the summer have all the necessary sauce and experience needed to take on this stage.
The Spanish outfit required Andriy Lunin’s inspiring performances over both legs to thwart RB Leipzig and reach this stage. The tactical battle between Josep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti will expectedly take center stage at this stage.
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
For sure, the underdogs match up has the third Spanish team in this round take on Borussia Dortmund.
BVB just acquired the services of Jadon Sancho on loan in the winter market and it’s his return leg goal against PSV Eindhoven which set them up for qualification.
Atletico Madrid’s Memphis Depay converted a late strike in addition to Antoine Griezmann’s earlier strike to get them on to a 2-2 aggregate score.
Jan Oblak complimented with a shootout masterclass to leave Diego Simeone in a teary post-match mood having initially lost the first leg to Inzaghi’s Inter Milan.
Atletico Madrid will aim to go for glory as their renowned nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo will not be a part of this edition most definitely.
Borussia Dortmund on the other hand will be looking to see how far they can ride their luck this time out.
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