The quarterfinal and the semifinal draw of the Champions League took place on Friday at Nyon, Switzerland. The competition now enters into its main stages.
No Italian teams have qualified for the last eight after Juventus and Inter Milan exited from the round of 16 stages. There are three Spanish teams in the mix after having only one representation from the country last season.
Quarterfinals
1) Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Surely the tie to look for, defending champions Chelsea will face La Liga leaders Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter finals. The English club is stricken by the sanctions imposed on their owner Roman Abramovich but are committing their on-field duties professionally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has lost none of his last six meetings with the La Liga giants in UCL. Real's boss Carlo Ancelloti will also return to one of his ex clubs after eliminating the other, PSG from the last 16. The two met in the semifinal stage last season where the Blues prevailed.
2) Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid
A test of might for either side as free-scoring Manchester City have to keep up their form to dislodge Diego Simeone's stubborn Atletico. City are also fighting for the Premier League title and the FA Cup but this is the competition they crave. They went close by reaching the final last year. The tie is tricky as Atletico have found their form back this season and will frustrate without limits. Simeone already tasted success in Manchester by beating City's rivals United in the last round. This is the first meeting between the sides in the contest.
3) Villarreal CF vs Bayern Munich
Villareal raised eyebrows by knocking out Juventus 4-1 on aggregate in a class second leg display. The Europa League winners are pitted against rampaging Bayern Munich. The seventh-placed side have to do something similar to overcome this uphill task. Julian Nagelsmann's Bayern thrashed FC Salzburg 7-1 in the second leg to progress to the last eight. They are the top-scoring side in the competition. Their last meeting came in 2011 in the group stages.
4) SL Benfica vs Liverpool
Like Villarreal, Benfica sparked a surprise by defeating an impressive Ajax side 1-0 in Amsterdam, winning 3-2 on aggregate. Darwin Nunez, top scorer for the Portuguese side, headed in the winner. Although, it was their commendable defense that helped them excel in this tie. Their opposition, Liverpool are chasing a quadruple this season. Jurgen Klopp's men are extracting results with ease and looking more dominant than ever. Moreover, they have the Anfield crowd backing in the second leg.
The first leg of the tie will be played on 5th & 6th April while the second legs
is scheduled for 12th & 13th of the same month.
Semifinals
The semifinal draw also took place along with the quarterfinal one. This stage is as exciting as ever.
1) Winner of Q2 vs Winner of Q1
The first semifinal could see Man City and Chelsea face each other in an all English tie and a repeat of last season's Champions League final or maybe a tasty Madrid derby is on the cards.
2) Winner of Q4 vs Winner of Q3
Liverpool, if progresses, will play at home in the first leg of the semifinal and is most likely to welcome Bayern at Anfield. But the minnows in this round cannot to be taken lightly as Villarreal and Benfica can upset the odds.
