Highlander Hot Take: Predicting the Champions League Quarterfinals
CategoriesTHE MOST RECENT NEWS

Highlander Hot Take: Predicting the Champions League Quarterfinals

With the Spherical of 16 in the textbooks, hopefully, your preferred European club is continue to alive in the UEFA Champions League. The competition’s two-legged fixtures in no way fall short to provide times of fantastic elation and devastating heartbreak, and this yr should not be any distinct. 

Neutrals were being remaining dissatisfied following the Round of 16 did not aspect any matchups among two European giants. Even so, the quarter final attract consists of four super aggressive and evenly contested matchups — a predictor’s nightmare. Let’s meet up with the contenders.

Atlético Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund

Atléti and Dortmund have had comparable seasons up to this stage. When the two teams have underwhelmed in their respective domestic leagues, they have just about every exceeded expectations in Europe. Right after marketing celebrity midfielder Jude Bellingham to Atléti’s crosstown rivals, a lot of predicted Dortmund to complete base in this year’s group of loss of life. Nevertheless, they flipped the script and finished best of their group prior to knocking out PSV in the spherical of 16.

In the same way, Atléti were being a fashionable decide on to wipe out of the team stage for a next calendar year in a row. Nevertheless, Diego Simeone’s adult males took care of business enterprise in the group phase. In the round of 16, they overcame a two-purpose deficit in the next leg to get rid of Inter Milan on penalties.

There are good reasons to acquire either team in this clash, but I’m sticking with Atlético Madrid. Simeone has built deep runs in this opposition with Atléti prior to, and I rely on his defensive-minded strategies in the knockouts. Atléti choose this one particular 2-1 on mixture.

PSG vs. Barcelona

A traditional matchup concerning the grasp and the apprentice. Luis Enrique’s PSG had their difficulties in the team phase, but narrowly escaped the group of dying many thanks to purpose differential. Soon after matching up towards Actual Sociedad in the round of 16, Kylian Mbappé and crew took treatment of company towards the La Liga facet.

On the other hand, Barcelona were blessed with just one of the simplest teams of the event. They finished top of their team with relative simplicity just before knocking out Napoli in the round of 16. They’ll glimpse to do extra of the identical to give manager Xavi a correct mail-off.

It’s been above 7 a long time considering that the events of “la remontada.” Time heals all wounds and I consider PSG will last but not least get over their demons from that terrible night time at the Camp Nou. Coincidently, they will even do it with the supervisor who encouraged the well known comeback. I see PSG getting this 1 4-1 throughout both of those legs.

Ben White &#8212 Courtesy of Flickr

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

Dating back to 2015, Bayern Munich have received every single of their a few matches towards Arsenal with an emphatic 5-1 scoreline. But this calendar year, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are critical contenders to win the entire level of competition. They now sit 2nd in the Premier League following breezing by way of the group stage. Following a gritty get on penalties against FC Porto in the round of 16, Arteta will have his staff believing they can carry the Champions League trophy for the initially time in club heritage.

4-time European champions Bayern Munich will not be driving the identical highs Arsenal are heading into this fixture. After investing massive on ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane, anticipations have been higher for the German group. However, Thomas Tuchel’s squad are currently 10 details driving Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and are at a significant menace of going trophyless this season.

Arsenal is definitely the additional in-sort staff at the second. But as a Spurs enthusiast, I cannot aspect with the Gunners. I’m heading with a 4-3 acquire on penalties for Bayern.

Genuine Madrid vs. Manchester City

For a 3rd consecutive time, Carlo Ancelotti’s fluid True Madrid will deal with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Town equipment. It is an exceptionally intriguing tactical matchup in between the two heavyweights of the tournament.

Celebrity Jude Bellingham prospects the line for Los Blancos. He’s flanked by the magical Brazilian duo of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. If that was not enough, their midfield is made up of the fantastic stability of youth and encounter. On the other hand, the defense will be with out entire world-course goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centerbacks David Alaba and Éder Militão.

Manchester City &#8212 courtesy of Flickr

The relaxation of the Genuine Madrid protection will have their arms entire with Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has picked up correct where he still left off past year. He’s accompanied by elite playmakers these kinds of as Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jérémy Doku and the returning Kevin De Bruyne. However, just like Serious Madrid, Manchester Town could be working with a shortage of defenders. John Stones and Kyle Walker just about every picked up knocks whilst enjoying for England in the most latest worldwide break.

With all the attacking talent on screen, this match should feature a good deal of objectives. I could be persuaded to acquire both group right here, but I’m getting the fourteen-time European champions True Madrid. In the Champions League, they normally look to elevate their match underneath the brightest lights. I’m choosing Los Blancos to earn 5-4 on aggregate.

The put up Highlander Incredibly hot Consider: Predicting the Champions League Quarterfinals appeared 1st on Highlander.