Champions League Quarter Finals Preview: Arsenal vs Bayern, Real Madrid vs Man City

The quarter-final round of the 2024 Champions League is finally here.

Arsenal and Manchester City will shift their attention to Europe after recording important wins in the Premier League over the weekend.

Here's a preview of their upcoming matches against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

Arsenal reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2009-10 season after beating Porto in the Round of 16.

Penalties were needed to determine the winner after the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate over two legs. David Raya saved two spot kicks in the shootout to lead the Gunners to victory.

The tie was decided via the penalty spot after the two legs ended in a 1-1 aggregate draw. David Raya saved two spot kicks in the shootout to lead the Gunners to victory.

Arsenal are feeling good about themselves heading into Tuesday's clash, having regained the Premier League lead this past weekend.

A victory over Brighton, coupled with a Liverpool draw against Manchester United, saw the Gunners move up to first place on goal difference.

The same can't be said about Bayern Munich, who are close to being dethroned in the Bundesliga. They now trail leaders Bayern Leverkusen by 16 points after losing to Heidenheim 3-2 last Saturday.

That means the Champions League is the last chance for the Bavarian giants to win a trophy this season. They qualified for the last 8 after beating Lazio in the Round of 16.

Bayern needed to win by at least two goals in the second leg to advance to the quarters after losing 1-0 to Lazio in their first-leg clash. That they did at the Allianz Arena, with Harry Kane's brace powering Bayern Munich's 3-0 victory.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich are no strangers in this competition, with the two clubs facing each other four times in the knockout round before.

Bayern recorded wins in their Round of 16 matchups against Arsenal in 2005, 2013, 2014, and 2017. The Gunners will be hoping to end that winless streak when they lock horns in the last 8 starting Tuesday.

According to Fabrizio Romano, first-team players Leroy Sane, Manuel Neuer, and Kingsley Coman have already returned to training in preparation for the quarter-finals.

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a knock during Arsenal's win over Brighton but is expected to be fit for the showdown against Bayern.

The German club will not have any supporters at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg after UEFA imposed a ban on their fans for throwing fireworks in the game against Lazio.

Writer's Pick

Arsenal to beat Bayern 2-0.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

It's Real Madrid vs. Manchester City once again in the UEFA Champions League.

The 14-time European winners will host Pep Guardiola's men, the team that eliminated them in this tournament last season, in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

City gained revenge against Real last year after the Spanish giants sent them packing in the 2021-22 semi-finals. They recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory in the second leg to eliminate Real Madrid in the 2022-23 semis.

Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half before Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez added goals late in the second half to secure City's spot in the final, per ESPN.

They went on to beat Inter in the final to complete a historic treble.

Manchester City will be without captain Kyle Walker, however, for the first leg after he injured his hamstring during England's friendly match against Brazil.

City coped well without him in the match against Crystal Palace last Saturday, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a brace in the 4-2 victory.

Josko Gvardiol went off injured against Palace and was replaced during half-time. He is also a doubt for the game against Real.

City's injury-depleted backline will be tested by the Spanish giants, who hold a commanding eight-point lead over Barcelona with eight matches remaining in their La Liga schedule.

Writer's Pick

Real Madrid edge past Man City 2-1.