The Champions League knockout stage is down to the final eight teams. The top teams are ready to fight for the prestigious trophy in club football. The last team includes three teams from England and Spain and one from Germany and Portugal. The fixtures are set for April. Moreover, each team will have to play two legs to qualify for the semi-final.
Therefore, in this article, we will present history and facts related to the fixture. Let’s get into it.
Benfica-Liverpool
Liverpool will face Benfica in the quarterfinal of the Champions League. The first leg is set on April 6 to be played at Estádio da Luz, Portugal. Benfica will go on to the match as the underdog. However, Benfica will be confident against the English side after beating Ajax to reach the quarter-final. Also, history favors the Benfica side since the Portuguese side has won three matches in four head-to-head clashes.
However, Liverpool is the favorite to win the fixture looking at the form they are in. The Five-time Champions league winner will want to win the tie to reach one step closer to the second UCL title in recent years. Saying that it will be a thrilling match to watch with young players on both sides fighting to reach the Semi-final of the UCL.
Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid
Manchester City and Atletico Madrid will certainly be a thrilling match to watch. The two clubs will face each other for the first time in history. Moreover, the match will be excited because of the managers involved in it. Pep Guardiola will have to face the tough Diego Simeone side to reach the semi-final of the UCL. Also, Diego Simeone must be clinical in every aspect to win against the balanced City side.
However, it will be difficult to predict the sure winner in this fixture. The reason behind that is both the manager have an idea about each other strenth and weaknesses from their days at Laliga. Pep Guardiola faced Diego Simeone during his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola has the advantage overhead to head against Diego Simeone. Saying that Diego has the experience of reaching finals in the UCL only to lose both times against Real Madrid.
Villareal vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will face the underdog Villareal side in the Champions League. The German side will have to succeed where Juventus failed. Villareal has proven to be a canny opponent on the European stage. However, many experts have predicted it to be the cakewalk for the Bayern Munich side. Saying that Villareal has the set of players who can create trouble for the German side. Nevertheless, Bayern will have an edge since their crucial players Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka will be back and fit in the second leg.
However, one cannot easily write off Villareal Coach Unai Emery’s records in the European competition. Likewise, the Villareal defense unit will be a tiring job to break for the German Champions. Therefore, if Bayern handles the first leg well then it will be easy for them in the second leg with the atmosphere from their loud fans.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Chelsea against Real Madrid will be the most exciting match in the champions league. Real Madrid will have the perfect chance to take revenge for last year’s Champions League loss. The two sides will face each other for the second time in the UCL. Also, both sides are considered as the major title contender in the UCL. Moreover, both sides are in great form in the domestic leagues. Chelsea will travel to Berenebau on the first leg to repeat the result of last year.
Furthermore, the game will be a contest between star players on both sides. Likewise, both sides have got the tactical manager with Carlos Ancelloti in Real Madrid and Thomas Tuchel on Chelsea. Also, Chelsea will travel to Bernebau wanting to prove after what happened with their Russian owner Roman Abramovich. Therefore, this fixture will be a must-watch game in this year’s Champions league given the circumstances.
