The quarterfinal draw is in and we have four delicious ties to sink our teeth into over the next few weeks.
To reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League is a serious achievement, and it’s very unlikely we’ll be subjected to any abject, desire-less spectacles like we were in the round of 16.
Here, Discount Football Kits predicts the winner of all four ties.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Eurosport
This is a finely poised tie, with both Spanish clubs fighting at the same level in La Liga and turning in impressive showings during the round of 16.
The pattern of the game will be very predictable, with la Blaugrana dominating possession and los Colchoneros setting up a tight 4-4-2 to barricade them.
Atletico will soak up pressure and hit Barca on the counter through Arda Turan and Diego Costa, and the question becomes whether Lionel Messi can pick the lock enough times to outscore their capital rivals.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Angel Martinez
Last year this tie was phenomenal at both group stage and knockout level, but those hoping for a repeat are set to be sorely disappointed.
Robert Lewandowski is suspended for the first leg, Marcel Schmelzer has torn a muscle and Ilkay Gundogan remains out. Mats Hummels is in dodgy form, they’ve just lost to Zenit St Petersburg and Erik Durm might be starting at left-back.
On the other side of the coin, Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
Prediction: Real Madrid
Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich
Manchester United entered the draw as the consensus worst team in the final eight, and fans soon realised any hopes of progressing lay in landing alongside Borussia Dortmund.
The Red Devils hit German, but they got the wrong team; instead of an injury-ravaged BVB side, they drew the defending champions under the leadership of Pep Guardiola.
Without wanting to pour too much scorn on United after a spirited showing against Olympiakos, there is very little hope of an upset here.
Prediction: Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea
This is perhaps the most mouth-watering tie despite Chelsea’s ability to slow games down.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Eden Hazard and Oscar on the same pitch should make for a very entertaining, yet tactically pliable matchup between two European behemoths.
On paper, it matches up as a classic 4-3-3 vs. 4-2-3-1 encounter, with holes to be taken advantage of in midfield and on the flanks. How will Cavani take on Cesar Azpilicueta? How will the Blues’ defence screen and nullify Zlatan?
Questions, questions; We can’t wait for the answers.
Prediction: Chelsea
