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Arsenal vs. Real Madrid
Arsenal had an unconventional lineup against PSV to say the least. With an injury crisis in attack and few options left up front, they had to start left-back Kieran Tierney as a winger, defensive midfielder Mikel Merino as a striker, and aging Raheem Sterling on the right. The Gunners will be banking on the return of their injured star winger Bukayo Saka for this matchup after being out for months. They will have to contend with a Real Madrid side whose ‘dark magic’ in the competition continued after their cross-town rival Atletico Madrid was heartbreakingly eliminated on penalties due to an extremely rare penalty double-touch. Real Madrid hasn’t exactly put in the most convincing performances of late, but in the Champions League, they are a different beast.
Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan
Bayer Leverkusen’s solid domestic record against the Bavarian giants ended in the Champions League after Bayern easily dispatched them 5-0 on aggregate over both legs in the round of 16. Bayern Munich vs. Inter will be an intriguing matchup, as it is a bit of an “unstoppable force meets an immovable object” moment. Bayern have scored 28 goals in the competition while Inter only 15 — but Inter have conceded just two goals and kept 8 clean sheets so far. They will have to contend with a potent Bayern attack with an in-form Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman. Inter’s lethal attacking duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are also a force to be reckoned with, and Hakan Calhanoglu and Nico Barella’s vision in midfield could exploit Bayern on the counter-attack.
Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona
Barcelona will be the heavy favorite here. Dortmund’s domestic league form has been average at best, and they scraped by a Lille team who are sitting in fifth in the French Ligue 1. The prospect of coming up against a red-hot Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will give headaches to Dortmund coach Niko Kovac, and it will be made worse with midfieler Pascal Gross being suspended. Barca have been the most entertaining team to watch this season alongside PSG, and there’s no reason to think they don’t have the capability to reach the final. Unless something catastrophic happens to their attackers, Barcelona will advance.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa
The football world took notice of PSG after they blew past Premier League leaders Liverpool in the round of 16. They dominated nearly every minute at the Parc des Princes despite losing 1-0, and protected a one-goal lead at Anfield until the penalty shootout which saw them advance to the next round. PSG’s technicians in midfield combined with the likes of Ousmane Dembele will be a major test for any team in this competition, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see PSG go all the way this season. Luis Enrique has drilled this team to be one of the most impressive sides in Europe, even though it took them until the second half of the season to finally reap the rewards.
Aston Villa has been revitalized by their January signings of Marco Asensio (ironically loaned from PSG) and Marcus Rashford, and Unai Emery’s side has had good performances in Europe this season. Regardless, it will take a miracle for Aston Villa to see past the Parisians.
