Champions League Preview

After an entertaining draw, all eyes are on Europe's biggest sporting competition. Starting April 9th Soccer fans worldwide will get the opportunity to see some of the world's best teams play head-to-head in the UEFA Champions League. 

ARSENAL vs. BAYERN MUNICH

If you're an Arsenal fan you've probably had many sleepless nights when you hear the words Bayern Munich, considering Bayern has knocked the Gunners out all 4 times they've faced them in the knockout stages (with the last meeting in 2016/17 ending in a 10-2 aggregate score). 

Bayern have not been the Bayern of old this season, so although this had historically been a bogey team for Arsenal there is lots of hope in North London. Similarly, this is not the same Arsenal squad as 2016/17. Arsenal are in a three-horse race atop the Premier League and have been nothing short of dominant since the start of the year. If star players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are at their best the Gunners will be an extremely difficult team to beat.

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-2 Bayern Munich

REAL MADRID vs. MANCHESTER CITY

A rematch of last season's semi-final (which Manchester City dominated 5-1 on aggregate) this matchup is becoming an instant classic. This year will be the third consecutive time these two teams matchup, with the victor going on to win the final in the last two matchups.

Real Madrid is a very complete team and is pretty comfortable atop of LaLiga right now, whereas City is in a tight race for the Premier League title. This is definitely something that can impact this matchup considering City will feel they are in must-win matches for the remainder of the season. If they hadn't drawn so early I would probably have these two teams as my favorites to make it to the final. Look for Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne to be key pieces if Manchester are to repeat last season's dominance. 

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 5-4 Manchester City

ATLÉTICO MADRID vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Two teams with an established Champions League pedigree, this matchup offers a lot more than the perception it has online. Not many people would have predicted one of these teams to make it this far, let alone both of them considering the opponents they've had to face to get here. Dortmund topped the "group of death" while Atletico defeated last year's finalist Inter Milan before arriving in the quarters. 

It's hard to go against Dortmund considering what they have overcome thus far, but the individual brilliance that can come out of this Atletico side will be tough to beat. Both stadiums are fortresses and I doubt there will be many goals scored for either team. Antoine Griezmann will be the most vital figure in this match up and through him, I believe Atletico will get the better of Dortmund. 

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 2-0 Atletico Madrid

FC BARCELONA vs. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Last, but certainly not least, comes possibly the most interesting storyline of the entire draw. Everyone remembers Barcelona's famous comeback win in the 2016/17 season, but Kylian Mbappé gave Barcelona their own embarrassing defeat in the 2020/21 season when he scored a hattrick at the Camp Nou.  

PSG will rely heavily on Kylian Mbappé if they hope to push through, while Barcelona will once again call on their young prodigies to carry them through. If Frenkie De Jong and Pedri can find themselves fit enough for this fixture it will be a much closer contest than others have predicted. There are amazing individual battles all throughout the field, but (if fit) Barcelona's midfield should be enough to just about scrape through.

AGGREGATE PREDICTION: 4-3 Barcelona advances in extra time