The Champions League quarterfinals draw is set
The stage is set as the Champions League quarterfinals draw took place, setting up some interesting match-ups
The remainder of the Champions League stage is set following the draw for the quarterfinals of the most important European club tournament.
The draw also set up some interesting match-ups:
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Perhaps the most appetizing clash will be the one between Real Madrid and Manchester City. It's a match between the reigning champions and the club who have won the tournament a record 14 times.
Furthermore, it presents Real Madrid with an opportunity to get some revenge as Manchester City wiped the Spanish giants away in the second game at the Etihad, en route to winning the Champions League.
Manchester City are in the thick of it in the race for the Premier League title. Real Madrid sit comfortably in first place LaLiga.
On paper, Real Madrid are probably considering themselves unlucky drawing arguably the one team no one wants to face. Madrid supporters might see that as a blight but there's no debate City are arguably the best team in the world. However, Madrid overcame them two seasons ago and will look to do the same this time around.
PSG versus Barcelona
All things considered, Barcelona are probably not too upset with getting PSG. It's the first time since Lionel Messi left that the Catalan side have reached this stage of the Champions League.
All eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe as he's feasted on the Barcelona defense when they've faced in the past. Even more so now with his pending move to Real Madrid in the summer. No better way to endear himself to the Merengues than by knocking out their main rivals.
Barcelona will be liking their chances nonetheless as PSG haven't exactly been flying in this tournament. Though they stepped up in the round of 16 in their tie against Real Sociedad.
It will also be a match between a manager and his former player with Luis Enrique on the PSG bench and Xavi Hernandez in the other. Luis Enrique faces his former team as does Ousmane Dembele.
Arsenal versus Bayern Munich
Arsenal might be having déjà vu as they finally make it back to the Champions League and once again meet Bayern Munich in the knockout stage.
Similar to Barcelona and PSG, it might be a more even tie than some may think.
Arsenal currently sit in first place in the Premier League and are putting things together at an opportune time. In contrast, it's been a trying season for Bayern Munich and manager Thomas Tuchel.
Bayern are nine points behind Bayer Leverkusen and realistically only have the Champions League to look forward to if they want to claim silverware. Things have gone south so much that Tuchel is set to leave at the end of the season.
The Bavarians needed to come back against Lazio in the quarterfinals and, early on, didn't look particularly convincing in the second leg before opening the score. It is not out of the realm of possibilty that Arsenal could knock them out. Especially if the Gunners get a positive result in the first leg.
Atletico Madrid versus Borussia Dortmund
This draw is perhaps the most even pitting two sides that the rest of the participants would have like to have been paired up with.
Los Colchoneros needed penalties to knock out Inter Milan while Borussia Dortmund hung on to knock out PSV Eindhoven.
Atletico Madrid have had a disappointing season, 14 points behind Real Madrid. At this point of the season, they are fighting to finish in the top four and qualify for the tournament next season.
As far as Dortmund is considered, it's been a typical Dortmund season. They've had their fair share of results but dropped points against teams they shouldn't have and despite their flaws, still second best when they come up against Bayern Munich. It's why they're lounging in fifth place, 20 points behind Leverkusen.
In addition to the quarterfinals, the draw was also made for the semifinals and the final.
manual
The winner between Real Madrid and Manchester City will take on the winner between Arsenal and Bayern Munich. In the other side of the draw, the winner between PSG and Barcelona will face the winner between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.
