Champions League: An Exciting Quarter-Final Awaits

On Friday the last eight teams in the Champions League learned their fate. Barcelona and Bayern Munich will understandably be glad about their respective draws. The other two games promise plenty of drama and excitement.

Here are some quick thoughts on the upcoming four matches:

 

Barcelona vs Roma

After beating Chelsea 4-1 on aggregate, the Catalan giants will be full of confidence going into this game. Roma, on the other hand, will find it difficult to get past such a solid squad.

They will also be worried about a certain Lionel Messi, who just keeps doing amazing things. The Argentinean was involved in all four goals his side scored against their previous opponents, with three goals and an assist.

Roma’s keeper Alisson has been receiving a lot of praise as a result of his performances this season but will be a busy man come April. The Brazilian will be given the near-impossible task of keeping out Messi and Co.

Can the Italians pull off the impossible?

 

Sevilla vs Bayern Munich

This tie looks good for Bayern on paper, but after knocking out Manchester United in the last 16 Sevilla is a side that should not be taken lightly.

The German side’s boss Jupp Heynckes is staying alert.

“I don’t share this euphoria after the draw. For me, it’s a tough draw. One thing you should know, there are no easy teams in the Quarter Finals.”

Bayern are on course to secure a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title and they are also in the Semi-Finals of the DFB Pokal. Can Heynckes deliver another treble for the Bavarians five years after doing so? That certainly is something to keep an eye on.

 

Juventus vs Real Madrid

And so they meet again! Last year’s finalists will be undertaking a fierce battle in the quarterfinals. Madrid did beat Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff last June, but the Italian giants have won all other two-legged encounters between the two sides.

Madrid’s very own Alvaro Morata was the man who knocked out Carlo Ancelotti’s side in 2014/15. The Old Lady did the same in 1995/96, 2002/03 and 2004/05. This should be exciting!

The good thing for Madrid is that they will be fully focused on the Champions League with the La Liga title out of their reach.

At the same time, it should not be forgotten that Juventus are coming into their own at the business end of the season and have shown their robust defense and great mentality in the games against Spurs.

 

Liverpool vs Manchester City

This is the tie that has many people licking their lips.

The two English sides who both play exciting and attacking football will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. A total of 12 goals have been scored in the two games they played this season and more goals are expected in the upcoming two legs.

Klopp has beaten Guardiola five teams in all competitions, more than any other manager. The German is also the only one who has a winning head-to-head against the Spaniard.

This will certainly give Liverpool fans hope, but City is just on another level this season. They are walking to the Premier League title and will have their sights set on the Champions League by the time the two sides meet.

Guardiola always managed to reach at least the semi-final stages of the competition when he was in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Many people have City as favorites to win the competition, but the Citizens need to prove they have what it takes starting from this game. Liverpool reached this stage for the first time since 2008/09 and the pressure will considerably be less on the Reds.

It certainly will be an intriguing match-up between the two English sides.

 

Written by Brook Genene

Follow Brook on Twitter @brookge

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