Today at exactly at 12:00 CET quarter-final draw for UEFA Champions League take place, 8 clubs secure place in the draw:
- Atletico Madrid
- Monaco
- Barcelona
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Bayern Munich
- Porto
- Juventus
- Real Madrid
In the last five seasons only Barcelona reach quarter-finals every year, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich manage to do that 4 times, Paris Saint-Germain two times and Juventus and Atletico only once.
UEFA Champions League started usual way with their general secretary Gianni Infantino introducing the clubs and explaining the draw procedure. Infantino guest on the stage was Karl-Heinz Riedle retired German soccer player. First pot that Riedle get was Paris Saint-Germain, second team was Barcelona. Third pick was Atletico Madrid and fourth was Real Madrid. Half way done we already have two excellent games on schedule. Porto was next and quickly behind them was Germany giant and current title holder Bayern Munich. With only two clubs left (Juventus and Monaco) the only thing that matter is who will be host between these two teams. Juventus get drawn first and he will host first game. UEFA Champions League matches are:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. FC Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich
Juventus vs. AS Monaco
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will go head once more. Two seasons ago these two clubs also meet in quarter-finals and then both games end in draw (2-2; 1-1) and Barcelona go to semifinals due to away goal. This year they were in Group F and first game in Paris end with PSG win 3-2 but then Barcelona repays them with 3-1 win at Nou Camp.
What more do we need to say about El Derbi Madrileño, one of biggest derbies in Spain between two clubs that hate each other. In recent history Atletico is better in head-to-head clashes this year from two games in Copa del Rey Atletico manage to win at their Vincent Calderon (2-0) and then to draw at Santiago Bernabeu (2-2). This will also be replay of last year UEFA Champions league final game where Real Manage to beat Atletico (4-1) after S. Ramos scored equalizer in 92’ of the game.
Porto and Bayern Munich didn’t go head-to-head in any recent history, last time these two meet was also in quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League in season 1999/2000. First game in Porto end 1-1 while in return game Bayern manage to win 2-1 and go to semifinals.
Juventus and Monaco also don’t have any recent head-to-head matches, the only time these two teams meet was in season 1997/1998 when Juventus lost their final game against Real Madrid (1-0). Monaco and Juventus meet in semi-finals at Turin first game end with Juventus 4-1 victory. In second game Monaco manage to take the win 3-2 but it wasn’t enough to go into finals.
First games are on schedule for 14 and 15 April and return games on 21 and 22 April.
Photos by El Ronzo,
UEFA Champions League Draw: PSG vs. Barcelona and El Derbi Madrileño Atletico vs. Real most interesting quarter-finals matches
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