Champions League Quarterfinals Preview

The Champions League is down to the final eight teams, and the quarterfinals promise exciting matchups as teams compete for a spot in the final in Munich on May 31st.

Real Madrid against Arsenal is a highlight of the quarterfinals, but every game has its own interesting story. Real Madrid, the current champions, are still in contention for three major titles, just like Barcelona, who will play Borussia Dortmund, last year`s Champions League finalists. Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are also aiming for a treble, facing different challenges. PSG, a team with young talent, will play Aston Villa, who are having a great season in their return to the Champions League after a long absence. Inter Milan will face Bayern Munich, who need to prove their championship quality after inconsistent performances in Europe.

The two-game series starts on Tuesday and continues until April 16th. Teams will advance based on their total score from both games. If needed, the second games will include extra time and possibly penalty kicks.

Here’s what you need to know before the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals.

How to Watch

You can watch all Champions League action this week on Paramount+. Check CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and YouTube for additional coverage. UEFA Champions League Today, a pre-game show, will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network on Tuesday and Wednesday. Paramount+ will stream all four matches and The Golazo Show. Post-game analysis will be available on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. The Champions Club will be featured on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube. CBS Sports Golazo Network will also air a new episode each day.

Quarterfinal Schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Quarterfinal Match Storylines

1. Real Madrid and Arsenal Face Off in Imperfect Seasons

Every Champions League week brings up the same question: Which Real Madrid will show up? Their season hasn`t been easy, especially in the league stage with three losses. However, they`ve improved, defeating Manchester City and Atletico Madrid on their way to the quarterfinals. Some believe they are improving at the right moment, but their match against Arsenal will truly test this idea.

Real Madrid hasn`t had a clean sheet in their last eight games, and most of their matches have been decided by only one goal, except for one draw. They have shown defensive weaknesses and have often relied on their strong attack to compensate, which hasn`t always worked, as seen in their 2-1 loss to Valencia after a missed penalty. Yet, Real Madrid has a unique ability to win even when not playing their best, making them still a favorite to win the Champions League.

While Real Madrid had a challenging path to the quarterfinals, Arsenal had a smoother journey, finishing high in their league group and easily defeating PSV in the round of 16. Facing Real Madrid will be Arsenal`s first major test of their title hopes, though they will be missing key players. While Bukayo Saka is back, Gabriel and Jurien Timber are out with injuries for the quarterfinals. This raises questions about Arsenal`s ability to challenge Real Madrid, especially as they aim to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time in about twenty years.

2. PSG and Aston Villa Compete for Semifinal Spot

It might have seemed unlikely for Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa to reach the Champions League semifinals, but both teams are now close to the final four. They must first play each other, making their quarterfinal matchup one of the most interesting.

PSG played better than Liverpool in the round of 16 and have become one of Europe`s most exciting teams. This shows that Luis Enrique`s vision for the team after Kylian Mbappe is moving in a positive direction. Aston Villa might seem like an easier opponent than Liverpool, but Unai Emery`s team has improved with the additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Ascensio in winter. Their games could be very competitive, especially with the added storylines – Emery and Ascensio are playing against their former (or parent) club. Also, Emery previously lost to Enrique`s Barcelona in the famous “La Remontada” in 2017, where Barcelona recovered from a 4-0 deficit to win.

3. Inter and Bayern Seek to Prove Their Strength

Inter Milan`s game against Bayern Munich feels like a classic Champions League encounter between two historically successful clubs. This matchup will show which team truly lives up to its reputation.

Inter has been consistent this season, including in the Champions League, where they finished high in their group and comfortably won against Feyenoord in the round of 16. This current Inter team seems to match the club`s prestigious history and ambitions, especially after reaching the final just two years ago. Bayern Munich arguably has more to prove. Despite easily defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 and leading the Bundesliga, their Champions League campaign has been inconsistent. This game will be a crucial test for Vincent Kompany`s Bayern to show how serious they are and whether they have fixed the issues from last year.