UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Quarter Finals Draw: It was a two-week mayhem period for the participating 16 sides in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24, as after some gruesome battles and epic comebacks, Europe has its final 8 clubs contesting for the all-elusive trophy of the UEFA Champions League. The draw took place on Friday, March 15, and we have some interesting fixtures at our disposal, which are as follows:
- Arsenal Vs Bayern Munich
- Atletico Madrid Vs Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid Vs Manchester City
- Paris St Germain vs FC Barcelona
Arsenal made it into the last eight after overturning a 1-0 first leg deficit with a 1-0 win at home against FC Porto, which forced the fixture into extra time and after intense battle, the tie was decided on pens, in which, Arsenal's David Raya showcased his heroics to oust the Portuguese club. They face a Bayern side that themselves have overturned a first leg deficit, as he demolished Lazio at home.
The second quarter final between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will be pleasing for both the sides as the sides aren't contesting hard for domestic league title and can give their all for a berth in the semis. Atletico have qualified by eliminating one of the most in-form sides in Europe and last year's runners-up, Inter Milan, whereas, Dortmund are coming off a comfortable tie against PSV Eindhoven.
The third quarter final is the most mouthwatering and most awaited fixture out of the four, as 'Club of the Century' Real Madrid take on the reigning European champions, Manchester City, in a repeat of last year's semi-final. The two sides have often met each other in the knockout stages from the past couple of seasons and given the form of both the sides, it'll be sad to see the end of the journey for one of the sides. Real Madrid are coming off a hard-fought qualification against RB Leipzig, whereas, City had a much easier and comfortable tie victory against Copenhagen.
The last quarter final between PSG and Barcelona will decide the momentum of the sides going into the last phase of the season. PSG are runaway leaders of Ligue 1, but lack of European pedigree still bites the club and with a tie against a depleted and a weaker FC Barcelona will further boost their hopes. The tie will see a beloved and a hostile homecoming of two former FC Barcelona members. Treble winning coach Luis Enrique is expected to see a hero's welcome, as Culers adore the Spaniard.
But, it'll be the complete opposite for former player Ousmane Dembele, who's potentially in for a Figo-likr treatment, given the fact the player left the club on bitter terms and in tough times. PSG are coming off a comfortable victory over Real Sociedad and Barcelona have qualified after eliminating SSC Napoli.