UEFA Champions League: The Path to Munich Intensifies with Thrilling QF Showdowns

New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) As the UEFA Champions League nears its climax, the quarterfinals are poised to kick off on Wednesday, promising even more drama in this remarkable tournament filled with unexpected twists and thrilling moments.

The mid-week matches feature two captivating encounters. First, the reigning champions Real Madrid will go up against an injury-hit Arsenal, while Bayern Munich is set to clash with Inter Milan in the second match.

In the opening match, scheduled for 12:30 AM (IST) on Thursday, Real Madrid is on the hunt for another win against an Arsenal team that is struggling with injuries. Mikel Arteta is faced with significant challenges as key players like Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber are all unavailable.

While Bukayo Saka returning is a positive for the Gunners, taking on a team like Real Madrid without their strongest lineup will be a daunting task. Real Madrid enters the match buoyed by recent victories in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Attention will be focused on Kylian Mbappe, who is rapidly becoming a club legend, drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s era.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich is gearing up for an exciting battle against Inter Milan. With six Champions League titles to their name, Bayern aims to deliver a commanding performance against an impressive Inter side, particularly after their dominant 4-1 aggregate win over Feyenoord in the Round of 16.

Bayern's star striker, Harry Kane, who has netted 10 goals in the tournament and is in phenomenal domestic form, will be pivotal. Conversely, Inter boasts one of the most formidable defenses in the tournament, having kept eight clean sheets—the highest of any team.

This match will showcase a clash between Bayern's attacking prowess and Inter's defensive strength, both kicking off at 12:30 AM (IST) on Thursday.

On Friday at 12:30 AM (IST), Barcelona will face off against Borussia Dortmund in a highly awaited showdown. Barcelona has been in exceptional form this season, with their young lineup performing exceptionally well. They are the tournament’s leading scorers with 32 goals, and captain Rafinha, alongside Robert Lewandowski, is among the top five scorers.

Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Dortmund will strive to upset the balance. The odds favor Barcelona, as they have never lost to Dortmund in their past five Champions League meetings.

On the same night at the same time, Paris Saint-Germain will aim to build on their momentum following an impressive victory over Liverpool. Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG has transformed into a more reliable team despite the absence of stars like Neymar and Mbappe. The Parisians have not conceded a penalty throughout the tournament and have recorded five clean sheets. With 25 goals scored, they rank among the top attacking teams.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, is enjoying a fairy-tale run, reaching their first Champions League quarterfinals since the 1982-83 season. Will Villa create history, or will PSG put a stop to their dream? Only time will reveal the outcome.

Quarterfinal schedule-

Quarter-Final - Leg 1 Bayern Munich vs Inter at 00.30 AM IST (Thursday)

Quarter-Final - Leg 1 Arsenal vs. Real Madrid at 00.30 AM IST (Thursday)

Quarter-Final - Leg 1 Barcelona vs. Dortmund at 00.30 AM IST (Friday)

Quarter-Final - Leg 1 PSG vs. Aston Villa at 00.30 AM IST (Friday)

Streaming and broadcasting details-

Where can we stream the UEFA Champions League matches in India?

Watch the live stream exclusively on Sony LIV.

Where can you watch the UEFA Champions League matches in India?

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will be live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD and HD from 12:30 AM IST on April 9 and 10.

Language feeds for the Arsenal vs Real Madrid match and Barcelona vs Dortmund fixture will be available on Sony Sports Ten 3 SD and HD (Hindi); Sony Sports Ten 4 SD and HD (Tamil and Telugu) on April 9 and 10, respectively, from 12:30 AM IST onward.