Ninety minutes are left in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second legs this midweek. On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund hosts Barcelona, and Aston Villa welcomes PSG. Both home teams suffered significant defeats in the first leg and have a lot to overcome. On Wednesday, Real Madrid aims for a major comeback against Arsenal, while Inter returns to San Siro to face Bayern Munich, holding a one-goal lead.
Games tied on aggregate will go to 30 minutes of extra time, and if still tied, penalty kicks will decide the winner.
Who will advance? See our expert picks below.
Champions League quarterfinals
|
Matchup
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona
|
1-2 | 2-2 | 1-2 | 1-3 | 1-4 |
|
Aston Villa vs. PSG
|
1-2 | 2-1 | 2-2 | 4-1 | 1-3 |
|
Inter vs. Bayern Munich
|
1-2 (Bayern on pens) | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 |
|
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
|
1-1 | 3-1 | 2-0 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
Dortmund vs. Barcelona
Player to watch: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona – It feels inevitable that Yamal will soon be considered the world`s best player. He might not be there yet, but it`s hard to argue against it. His dribbling, passing, and striking ability are incredible for a 17-year-old. — James Benge
Man of the match: Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona – The former Borussia Dortmund striker scored twice in the first leg in Barcelona, reaffirming his status as one of the world`s top strikers. He returns to Dortmund on Tuesday, where he played from 2010 to 2014 before controversially joining rivals Bayern Munich. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: FC Barcelona 3, Borussia Dortmund 1 – Barcelona, coached by former Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick, are expected to win again after their dominant 4-0 first-leg victory. They should comfortably advance to the semifinals, where they are likely to face the winner of the Inter vs. Bayern Munich tie. — Francesco Porzio
Aston Villa vs. PSG
Player to watch: Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain – Recent games suggest PSG has a Champions League-winning attack. The question is whether their defense is strong enough. While the full-backs and goalkeeper have clear strengths and weaknesses, if Marquinhos can effectively shield the defense, this should be a manageable task. — James Benge
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa – Aston Villa hosts French champions PSG for the second leg after a 3-1 first-leg defeat. Marcus Rashford, who joined Villa on loan in January, has a significant opportunity to prove his resurgence against PSG, a team that previously sought to sign him. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Aston Villa 2, PSG 2 – Despite last week`s result, Emery`s team showed they can create chances and score against PSG. However, it`s unlikely to be enough for a comeback, as Villa needs to score three goals to overturn the first-leg deficit. If they were to pull off an unexpected comeback, they would face the winner of Real Madrid vs. Arsenal. — Francesco Porzio
Inter vs. Bayern Munich
Player to watch: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich – Harry Kane might soon secure his first major trophy, but Bayern`s primary goal in signing him was Champions League success. He is expected to be the difference-maker in tight matches. Can he deliver on Wednesday? — James Benge
Man of the match: Yann Sommer, Inter – The Swiss goalkeeper was outstanding in the first leg, contributing significantly to Inter`s 2-1 victory at Bayern Munich. He demonstrated why he is considered a top goalkeeper. Inter needs Sommer at his best to avoid defeat on Wednesday, as a draw would be enough to reach the semifinals. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Inter 1, Bayern Munich 1 – With numerous injuries and a first-leg loss, Bayern faces a challenging task to overcome the 2023 Champions League finalists. Inter is favored to advance to the semifinals, potentially setting up a rematch with FC Barcelona, reminiscent of the 2009-10 season when Inter won the Treble under Jose Mourinho. — Francesco Porzio
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
Player to watch: Jurrien Timber, Arsenal – William Saliba rightly received praise for Arsenal`s strong defense in the first leg, but Jurrien Timber`s performance at right back was equally crucial. If Timber can again neutralize Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior`s attacking threats, Madrid might struggle to overcome their three-goal deficit. — James Benge
Man of the match: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid – Vinicius Jr. needs to perform at his peak if Real Madrid hopes to achieve a miraculous comeback against Arsenal after a 3-0 first-leg defeat. Vinicius, likely to partner with Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe in attack, has already scored seven Champions League goals this season. However, a defeat against Arsenal would be a significant setback in his career. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Real Madrid 2, Arsenal 0 – If any team can come back against Arsenal, it`s Real Madrid. However, this time it seems very difficult for Carlo Ancelotti`s team, as they are facing injuries, forcing key players into unfamiliar positions. Yet, with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, anything is possible. — Francesco Porzio
Adrian Whitmore