'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The stage is set for the ardent football viewers to rejoice yet another thrilling knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League. When it comes to club football, there aren’t many competitions as big as the Champions League. Players dream all their life to life the prestigious trophy once and those who do cherish the moment for the rest of their lives.
Every year the UEFA Champions League treats us with the enticing matchups, thrilling twists and above all the high-intensity drama that makes this elite club competition a spectacle.
This season has been no different as we’ve got to see some shocking results followed by some sensational comebacks some heroic performances.
When it comes to entertainment, the Champions League raises the bar every year! And it's no secret that the main drama commences in the knockout phase when the clubs are vying to outlast every other club in order to be the one, the one to lift the prestigious trophy!
The draw took place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon and some mouth-watering fixtures are set to tantalize us! The road to Madrid is on for these 8 teams as they now know what lies ahead for them.
Now that we're down to the last 8 and the quarterfinal encounters set, the football enthusiasts are geared up to witness yet another exciting ride in the book of Uefa Champions League.
Here's how these scintillating battles could turn out.
#1 Juventus vs Ajax
Real Madrid fans will hope that their former hero will get them some payback when faces Ajax in the quarterfinals. Juventus have drawn Ajax in what promises to be a very thrilling quarterfinal in the UEFA Champions League.
Ajax had a breathtaking round-16 journey as they overcame the defending champions, Real Madrid to reach the last 8. The Dutch side was the favourite to proceed but the sheer determination of young Ajax starlets ensured their passage to the last 8. Ajax have reached the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time since 2003 and will look to build on their emphatic victory over Real Madrid in the round of 16 when they battle Juventus in a bid to reach the semi-finals.
Talking about Juventus’ and their champions league ambitions, the Italians will believe this is the year that they lift the prestigious UEFA Champions League trophy.
Bianconeri didn’t enjoy a really smooth passage as they needed Cristiano Ronaldo’s masterclass to overcome the 2-goal deficit in their round Of 16 clash against Atletico Madrid.
Atletico travelled to Turin riding high on a 2-0 advantage but little did they that an old friend was there waiting for them in the name of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo displayed one of the most commendable and inspirational performances of recent times as his hat-trick assured Juventus a place in the quarterfinals.
While Ajax does have a dynamic squad, we’ve got to give it to Juventus courtesy of their experienced squad a certain phenomenon who goes by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo!
Also See : Durand Cup, Durand Cup Schedule, Calcutta Football League
Prediction: Juventus to proceed
#2 Liverpool vs Porto
Jurgen Klopp's side has drawn FC Porto in the quarterfinals as the Reds will be looking to reach the last 4 of the UCL for the second year in a row.
Liverpool played Bayern Munich in the round of 16 in what was one of the most anticipated ties of the round to both clubs' tremendous record in the tournament and more importantly their star power on paper.
Liverpool have enhanced under Jurgen Klopp as the German has made the Kops one of the very best England has to offer. Liverpool's victory over Bayern Munich in the round of 16 speaks volumes of their team's growth under Jurgen Klopp.
While the Liverpool fans will be excited upon their club's progression, they will definitely wary of the Portuguese side, FC Porto.
Porto got bast AS Roma in the round of 16 and will now battle Liverpool in their quest of reaching the semifinals of UEFA Champions League.
As much commendable as Porto's journey has been, we've got to give this one to Liverpool. Men like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Fabinho have the potential to turn the game anytime, anywhere.
Prediction: Liverpool to go past Porto
#3 Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
The battle of English clubs as Manchester City take on Tottenham Hotspur for a crucial champions league semifinal spot. The English clubs look extremely potent on paper as the number of world-class attackers in both these sides is tremendously impressive.
Layers like Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Dele Alli will take the centre stage with a mission to help their side reach the last 4 of the tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pocchetino have been flying and have been appreciated by critics as well as fans for their enticing playing styles. Spurs strolled past German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 by registering a 4-0 victory over the 2 legs.
Talking about awe-inspiring victories, Manchester City will probably be the first one in line to boast about their emphatic path to the last 8 as the English champions inflicted a heavy defeat over Schalke in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola's men won the tie 10-2 on aggregate and will look to keep their joy ride active and reach Madrid for the final this year.
But with spurs as their opponents in the round of 16, the road doesn’t look extremely smooth ahead for Pep Guardiola's men. The Spaniard will have to be at his tactical best to oust Mauricio Pocchetino in the quarterfinals and with the squad at his hands, expect the same to happen.
Prediction: Manchester City to reach the semi-finals
#4 Manchester United vs Barcelona
And the clash of the round and what will probably be the most anticipated one is of Manchester United vs Barcelona. Two glorious clubs with a densely rich history, Manchester United and Barcelona are probably the two most followed clubs on the planet.
The tie has got the world talking as Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will look to continue his dream run against Messi and company as Manchester United face Barcelona in what promises to be a colossal battle in the quarterfinals.
Manchester United fans are filled with exuberance as their side did the spectacular by ousting PSG in what was one of the most impressive comebacks in the history of the Champions League.
Talking about impressive comebacks versus Paris Saint Germain, there is one club who knows a lot about it.
Barcelona famously defeated PSG two years back and it’s no secret that Blaugrana possesses one of the most admirable records when it comes to the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona got past Lyon to reach the round of 16 as the football enthusiasts were delighted with yet another Lionel Messi special in Barca’s victory over their French opponents.
Barcelona undoubtedly have one of the fiercest of squads but Manchester United under Solksjaer have been spectacular and with that win over PSG, the Red Devils will feel confident of going all the way in the tournament.
Prediction: Manchester United to edge past Barcelona
