Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
After Barcelona edged Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in their thrilling group stage encounter, the two sides meet again in the quarter-finals. Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna described the loss as “a tough one, but we were beaten by a very, very good team.”
Since that December fixture, significant changes have taken place, particularly in the dugout. Dortmund’s Nuri Şahin made way for Niko Kovač, a former Bayern Munich boss and close colleague of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. Kovač recalled, “He was my assistant, and now we’re competing against each other.”
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who has a rich history with Dortmund after playing there from 2014-18, has proven lethal in Europe, although he has been overshadowed by his teammate Raphinha this season. The Brazilian forward leads the Champions League scoring charts with 11 goals, while Lewandowski has nine, just one behind Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, who has been in excellent form for his side.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Raphinha (Barcelona): Leading the Champions League scoring charts with 11 goals, the Brazilian winger’s pace and finishing have been instrumental in Barcelona’s campaign.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): With nine goals to his name, the seasoned striker’s experience and goal-scoring prowess remain vital for Barcelona’s offensive strength.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund): Matching Lewandowski with nine goals, Guirassy’s agility and clinical finishing make him a significant threat to Barcelona’s defense.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain have been flying high after an intense round of 16 clash, where they triumphed over Liverpool on penalties at Anfield, a match PSG coach Luis Enrique called “one of the most exhilarating experiences of my career.”
The French giants will now face Aston Villa in their first-ever meeting, a team that has been on a steady rise under manager Unai Emery, despite being far from the Premier League’s top spots.
Emery, familiar with Paris having won multiple trophies as PSG’s former head coach (2016-2018), will be keen to return to Parc des Princes, where he guided the team to a league title, two French Cups, and two League Cups. Villa may not be as accustomed to these high-profile nights, but defender Ian Maatsen is confident: “We’re a great team too, so they will have to respect us.” Paris, though, is brimming with talent and ambition. Captain Marquinhos made it clear: “We’re in the quarter-finals and need to be ready for another difficult tie.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): The French winger has contributed significantly with five goals in the Champions League, showcasing his dribbling skills and creativity on the flank.
Achraf Hakimi (PSG): Known for his speed and attacking support from the right-back position, Hakimi’s defensive and offensive contributions will be crucial against Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): The English forward’s movement and finishing have been key to Villa’s attack, making him a player PSG’s defense must monitor closely.
Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan
Bayern Munich have a strong historical advantage over Inter Milan, having defeated them 2-0 in both their home and away group stage encounters in the 2022/23 season.
However, things could be different this time, as former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard now plays for Inter. Pavard, who made the switch in 2023, is relishing the chance to face his old club once again: “I’m glad to meet Bayern again.” Inter, under coach Simone Inzaghi, will face a tough task, but they’ve already proven their worth, eliminating Feyenoord in the round of 16.
For Bayern, the presence of Harry Kane, who has found his goal-scoring form in Munich, makes them a potent threat. “I’m sure Inter will demand everything from us,” said Kane, while Jamal Musiala added, “The Inter game will be another tough match.” Bayern’s Thomas Müller also recalled a bitter memory: the 2-0 loss to Inter in the 2010 Champions League final in Madrid. That memory will certainly fuel Bayern’s desire for revenge.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): Tied with Guirassy at nine goals, Kane’s goal-scoring ability and link-up play are central to Bayern’s offensive strategy.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich): The young midfielder has been a creative force, contributing two goals and three assists in the Champions League, and his dribbling and vision are assets to Bayern’s midfield.
Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan): Facing his former club, Pavard’s defensive acumen and familiarity with Bayern’s tactics could provide Inter with an advantage in neutralizing Bayern’s attack.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal, sitting second in the Premier League, will focus all their efforts on the Champions League, their best remaining chance for silverware this season. Their quarter-final matchup against Real Madrid will mark just their third-ever meeting, with their most memorable encounter being in the 2005/06 Champions League first knockout round when they eliminated the Spanish giants after a goalless draw at home, securing a 1-0 aggregate win.
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him since December. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed confidence: “Bukayo is ready to go,” adding that his return could provide the much-needed spark.
However, the Gunners will face a Real Madrid side with its own formidable pedigree, having knocked out Atletico Madrid in a tense round of 16 clash. Coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience: “This team has something special – character and commitment. We held our own physically, and in the second half, we were exhausted, but we pushed through.” Real Madrid’s experience in high-stakes European encounters will make them formidable opponents, and Arsenal will need to be at their very best if they are to progress.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Returning from a three-month hamstring injury, Saka marked his comeback with a decisive goal against Fulham, highlighting his importance to Arsenal’s offense.
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal): The defender’s recent hamstring concern poses a challenge for Arsenal’s backline stability ahead of the Real Madrid clash.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): The English midfielder has been a standout performer, with his dynamic playmaking and goal-scoring ability driving Real Madrid’s midfield dominance.
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid): With seven goals in the competition, the Brazilian winger’s pace and dribbling skills make him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
As the quarter-finals approach, the drama promises to reach new heights, with plenty of intriguing matchups, iconic players, and tactical battles waiting to unfold on Europe’s grandest stage.
First legs
8 April
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Bayern München vs Inter
9 April
Paris vs Aston Villa
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
Second legs
15 April
Aston Villa vs Paris
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
16 April
Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Inter vs Bayern München
