Winners & losers of the Champions League quarter-final draw
The quarter-finals will showcase a series of high-profile encounters, including several much-anticipated repeat matchups.
The Champions League quarter-final draw has presented some compelling matchups, especially after a round of 16 that lacked significant drama.
Manchester City, the current champions, are set to clash with Real Madrid, a team with 14 titles, for the third year in a row. City overcame Real Madrid on their way to victory last season. Arsenal will face Bayern Munich, bringing Harry Kane (and Eric Dier) back to north London.
Atletico Madrid, having knocked out Inter, will go up against this year's dark horse, Borussia Dortmund. The victor of this match will then take on either Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona, two clubs with a rich history both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
WINNER: Manchester City
City finds themselves in the more challenging side of the bracket, a situation similar to last season's, yet they emerged victorious to lift their first European Cup. Facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals won't daunt the reigning champions; they convincingly defeated the Spanish giants just a year ago. Despite Jude Bellingham's impressive impact at Real Madrid, the team barely made it through the last 16, having been dominated by RB Leipzig in both legs.
A semi-final showdown with Arsenal is less than ideal for City as they're currently entangled in a tight race for the Premier League title with Arsenal and Liverpool. However, City, having overcome both Arsenal and Bayern Munich previously, won't be intimidated by either team, remaining the favorites to win the tournament.
LOSER: Kane & Tuchel's trophy hopes
Bayern Munich's season has been challenging, marked by a heavy defeat to RB Leipzig in the DFL-Supercup, an unexpected exit from the DFB-Pokal at the hands of FC Saarbrucken, and a significant lag behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga race. In desperate need of a favorable Champions League draw to salvage their season and avoid ending without a trophy for the first time since 2012, their luck did not improve. The draw placed them in a daunting path, requiring victories over Arsenal and then the winner of the Manchester City vs. Real Madrid tie to reach the final at Wembley.
Given their struggles, especially the effortful win over Lazio in the last 16, advancing seems a tall order for Bayern. Harry Kane, in outstanding form, will eagerly anticipate the matchup against Arsenal, his former adversaries. However, his aspirations for silverware are significantly dimmed by the challenging draw.
Thomas Tuchel's already turbulent time at Bayern seems poised for more disappointment, making it hard to envision a positive conclusion to his stint with the club.
WINNER: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe's potential farewell to Paris Saint-Germain could culminate in delivering the Champions League title, a feat not out of reach following the recent draw.
Facing Barcelona presents PSG with a formidable challenge, yet the Spanish giants have had their struggles, balancing inconsistent performances with injuries. With Xavi set to leave and a spotlight on the club's emerging talents from La Masia, the scenario seems less daunting for PSG.
With the Ligue 1 title nearly secured, Luis Enrique has the luxury to rest key players, and his familiarity with Barcelona could be advantageous for PSG.
Mbappe, anticipated to join Real Madrid, has previously excelled against Barcelona and might see this as a chance to further impress his likely future club. However, his current focus is leading PSG through what appears to be a favorable draw towards a potential second Champions League final, underscoring an opportunity not just for personal glory but for a significant achievement with PSG.
LOSER: Arsenal
Arsenal's position as the second favorites for the Champions League took a hit after they were drawn against Bayern Munich for the quarter-finals. While Arsenal won't be intimidated by a Bayern team that has had its internal struggles, underestimating the German giants would be a mistake. Harry Kane's exceptional form, supported by the skilled Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, poses a significant threat.
Bayern's experienced squad and the advantage of hosting the second leg at the Allianz Arena add to Arsenal's challenges, especially given Arsenal's less-than-stellar away record in this season's Champions League.
Should Arsenal advance past Bayern, a likely semi-final against Manchester City looms. Overcoming City, especially in the midst of a tight Premier League title race, would be a daunting task for the Gunners. Despite their enthusiasm for the competition, Arsenal faces a tough road ahead in Europe, with their chances now appearing more challenging.
WINNER: Diego Simeone
Football's unpredictability was on full display during Atletico Madrid's Champions League last-16 second leg against Inter. With the game drawing to a close, Atletico seemed on the brink of elimination, but they managed to turn the tide and are now contemplating a potential third trip to the final.
The collective efforts of Atletico's players, coaching staff, and supporters were instrumental in overcoming a strong Inter team. Although they advanced through penalties, their spirited display at the Metropolitano showcased Atletico's potential to reach the final at Wembley.
Their optimism grew after drawing Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals. Despite the challenge of playing the second leg at Dortmund's fortress, Signal Iduna Park, where Dortmund remains unbeaten this season against formidable opponents like PSG and AC Milan, Atletico sees a clear route to the final.
Atletico's inconsistent league form aside, the intensity and resolve shown against Inter, if sustained, hint at a promising European journey. Diego Simeone's team could well find their third attempt at clinching the title to be the charm.
LOSER: Real Madrid
Real Madrid's victory over RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the Champions League didn't showcase them as potential title contenders. Despite their knack for finding a way to win, their performance left much to be desired. However, Real Madrid has a history of defying expectations in Europe, often emerging victorious despite not being the strongest team in Spain.
To overcome Manchester City in the quarter-finals, Real will need extraordinary performances from players like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. While Manchester City might not be as dominant as last season and have shown vulnerability in defense, they remain a formidable opponent, especially considering their previous commanding victory over Real at the Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid faces a significant challenge against the reigning champions and will need a remarkable effort to progress further in the competition.
