Big day, this Tuesday, April 9, in the Champions League. The best continental club competition begins today the quarterfinal dispute with two first legs that pit four teams of enormous level against each other: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
The Champions League enters its most ‘critical’ and exciting phase, in which only eight teams survive, and which continue to dream of winning the European crown, in a final that will be played at the London stadium in Wembley next June 1. Along with the four previous teams, Barça, PSG, Atlético de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund They also dream of achieving continental glory.
The precedent of last season
This Tuesday the 9th, the Champions League offers two ‘battles’ of enormous level. The first will star Real Madrid y Manchester City, with the Santiago Bernabéu as the stage. Spaniards and English meet again after starring in this same tie in the semifinals of the last edition. In 2023, after drawing 1-1 in Madrid, City won the second leg by a resounding 4-0, and made it to the final, against Inter, which they would later end up winning.
The casualties, Guardiola’s great concern
The English team defends its title, and arrives at this tie with the label of favorite, but nowhere near as comfortable as it could have been last season. Pep Guardiola He will have to solve a real puzzle in his defensive defense, since the Santpedor coach will not be able to count on the injured for this match Kyle Walker and Nathan Aké. Two very sensitive losses that will force a reinvention in the starting eleven. Furthermore, Josko Gvardiol finally entered the squad, but he arrives very soon for the appointment.
Real Madrid seeks vendetta against Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals / EFE
Madrid seeks the magic of two seasons ago
For its part, Real Madrid is ready and eager to take the ‘vendetta’ after the painful elimination of last season. The whites dream of another big night at home against City, just as happened two seasons ago, also in the semis. Carlo Ancelotti will be able to count on the entire squad except for long-term injuries, Thibaut Courtois and David Praise. Eder Militao He has re-entered the list after already having minutes in the last league game against Athletic Club.
Arsenal wants to extend their good moment
At the same time, at the Emirates, Arsenal and Bayern Munich They will play the first round of another of the great matches of these Champions League quarterfinals. The set of Mikel Arteta once again consolidates itself as one of the continent’s greats, after many years of absence. The Londoners, who are the current leaders of the Premier, trust in the talent of Odegaard, Saka o Havertz to try to get a positive result in the first leg, against a Bavarian team that is not going through its best moment.
A Bayern in low times that only has the Champions League left
And the German team arrives in London with the Bundesliga virtually lost, and with the only asset of the Champions League to try to save one of the worst seasons in recent years that are remembered by the team he directs Thomas Tuchel. Harry Kane returns to the British capital to face an Arsenal against whom he had played epic duels with Tottenham.
Harry Kane faces off again against his former Arsenal ‘enemies’ / EFE
He left London in search of titles, and although his first year in Germany, in individual terms, is practically unbeatable, it seems that he could stay one more season without lifting a cup.
WHAT TIME ARE THE CHAMPIONS QUARTERFINALS?
The two first legs of the quarterfinals that will be played Real Madrid – Manchester City and Arsenal – Bayern Munich, they dispute today, Tuesday, April 9, at 9:00 p.m. (CET).
WHERE TO WATCH TODAY’S CHAMPIONS MATCHES ON TV?
The two Champions League quarter-final duels can be seen through Movistar +. The platform will offer the Real Madrid – Manchester City through your channel Movistar Champions League (dial 60), Meanwhile he Arsenal – Bayern can be followed through the channel Movistar Champions League 2 (dial 61). On the other hand, you can follow the meeting with the best comments and analysis in SPORT.es.
