The race for the 68th Champions League title resumes as title holders Real Madrid meet former champions in a rematch of the quarter-finals.
An encounter where Chelsea was eliminated last season, resulting in Madrid winning the cup.
Chelsea, under interim coach Frank Lampard, will need a miracle to hold off title defenders and leading UCL scorer Vinicius Jr, who has six goals in the league.
Manchester City makes it to their 4th quarter-finals appearance in the champions league campaign.
As they meet 19/20 title winner Bayern Munich under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
The set revenge fixture between Pep Guardiola on his 2021 loss to Tuchel in the UCL finals will be one for the books.
Manchester City stands as the favorites with this season leading goal-scorer Erling Haaland expected to increase his 10 goal tally in 6 champions league games for the home side, supported by KDB.
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Benfica will host struggling Inter Milan at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa Benfica for the first leg today.
Unlike last season’s elimination at the same stage and their record of losing all five quarter-finals ties in UCL history.
Benfica’s chances of progressing into the semis will likely depend on claiming a first-leg win advantage.
Inter Milan, having gone six matches without a win and falling at this stage in four of their six quarter-final appearances.
Will be counting on the fleeting magic of leading UCL scorer this season Martinez to complete his away goal spell.
With 7 out of his 8 goals being scored away from home this season, to secure a safe spot until the return fixture in Milan if they are to progress.
Two of Italy’s three remaining title contenders will meet for the first time in European competition.
The match between AC Milan and Napoli promises to be the highlight of the knockout stage.
With Napoli coming off a 4-0 loss to the Milan side earlier this month.
Giving the home side the confidence they need to go for a first-leg win after reaching the knockout stage for the first time in 11 years.
The Serie A table leaders Napoli with an 18-point lead, securing the league title and being the highest goal-scoring team (25) this season in the UCL.
Will look to seek a revenge comeback fully focused on their first-ever UCL quarter-final tie.
Which promises to be a gut goal if the Blues are able to end the theme of AC Milan’s UCL journey as they chase a fifth-straight clean sheet in the competition for the first time since the 2004/05 edition.
Players To Watch
AC Milan vs Napoli
– Oliver Giroud [4 goals, 2 assists], Raphael Leao,
Victor Osimehn [4 goals], Khvicha Kvaratskhelia [2 goals, 4 assists ]
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
– Vinicius Junior [ 6 goals, 3 assists ] Karim Benzema [3 goals]
Kai Havertz [ 2 goals], Matteo Kovacic
Benfica vs Inter Milan
-Goncalo Ramos [3 goals], Joao Mario [6 goals, 2 assists]
-Lautaro Martinez, Eden Dzeko [3 goals]
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich
-Erling Haaland [10 goals] , Kevin DeBruyne
-LeRoy Sane [ 4 goals,2 assists], Sadio Mane
Players on Injury
Questionable – Thiago Silva (Chelsea), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Will not Play – Badiashile (Chelsea), Nicholas Otamendi (Benfica), Draxler (Benfica), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich)
Prediction
AC Milan vs Napoli – Both teams to score // Over 2 goals totals
Real Madrid vs Chelsea – Home Win // Home to win over 2 goals
Benfica vs Inter Milan – Home Win // Home to win over 2 goals
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich – Home Win// Both teams to score // Over 3 goals totals
Sources: UEFA.com, Opta Analyst
