The UEFA Champions League is down to the final eight teams, who are set to compete this week as they continue their journey to the final in Munich on May 31.
Real Madrid against Arsenal is a major highlight of the quarterfinals, although each pairing offers its own interesting narratives. Real Madrid, the current champions, are still in contention for a treble, as are Barcelona, who are also vying for all three titles and will play against Borussia Dortmund, last season`s Champions League finalists. Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are also aiming for the treble, each facing unique challenges. PSG, a young and exciting team, will face Aston Villa, who are having a remarkable season after a long absence from the Champions League. Inter Milan will compete against Bayern Munich, who need to demonstrate their championship quality after inconsistent performances in European matches.
The two-leg quarterfinals begin on Tuesday and continue until April 16. Teams will advance based on their aggregate score. If necessary, extra time and penalties will be used in the second leg to determine the winner.
Here`s what you need to know before the upcoming Champions League matches.
How to Watch
You can follow Champions League coverage this week on various platforms. Pre-match shows will be available on CBS Sports Golazo Network on Tuesday and Wednesday. All four games, along with The Golazo Show, will be broadcast. Post-game coverage will be available on CBS Sports Network. The Champions Club will be featured on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube. CBS Sports Golazo Network will also provide daily coverage.
Quarterfinal TV Schedule
All times U.S./Eastern
| TUESDAY, APRIL 8 | HOW TO WATCH |
|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Today pre-match | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network from 1:45 p.m. |
| The Golazo Show | Paramount+ |
| Bayern Munich vs. Inter | Paramount+ |
| Arsenal vs. Real Madrid | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today post-match | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| The Champions Club | CBS Sports Golazo Network, YouTube |
| Scoreline | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 | HOW TO WATCH |
|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Today pre-match | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Golazo Show | Paramount+ |
| Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund | Paramount+ |
| Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today post-match | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| The Champions Club | CBS Sports Golazo Network, YouTube |
| Scoreline | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Quarterfinal Storylines
1. Real Madrid and Arsenal Face Off in Imperfect Seasons
Each Champions League week brings up the same question: Which Real Madrid will appear? This season has been inconsistent for the reigning champions, especially in the league stage with three losses. However, their form has improved, with wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid leading them to the quarterfinals. This suggests Carlo Ancelotti`s team might be peaking at the right moment, but the upcoming matches against Arsenal will test this theory.
Real Madrid has not had a clean sheet in their last eight games, with most matches decided by a single goal, except for one draw. Their defense has often been vulnerable, relying on their strong attack to compensate, which hasn`t always been successful, as seen in their 2-1 loss to Valencia after Vinicius Junior missed a penalty. Yet, Real Madrid has a unique ability to overcome less-than-stellar performances, keeping them among the favorites to win the competition.
While Real Madrid`s path to the quarterfinals has been challenging, Arsenal has had a smoother journey, finishing high in their league group and easily defeating PSV in the round of 16. The match against Real Madrid will be the first significant test of Arsenal`s title aspirations. However, they will not be at full strength, with Gabriel and Jurien Timber injured, though Bukayo Saka is back. This raises questions about Arsenal`s ability to challenge Real Madrid, especially as they aim to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time in about twenty years.
2. PSG and Aston Villa Compete for a Semifinal Spot
It might have seemed unlikely for Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa to reach the Champions League semifinals, but both teams have worked hard to get close to the final four. They must first compete against each other, making their quarterfinal matchup one of the most interesting.
PSG outperformed Liverpool in the round of 16, establishing themselves as one of Europe’s most exciting teams. This shows that Luis Enrique’s vision for the team after Kylian Mbappe’s departure is progressing well. Aston Villa might seem like an easier opponent than Liverpool, but Unai Emery`s team has improved with the additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio in the winter. Their upcoming matches could be very competitive, especially with the added storylines – Emery and Ascensio are playing against their former (or parent) club, and Emery previously lost to Enrique’s Barcelona in the famous “La Remontada” in 2017.
3. Inter and Bayern Seek to Prove Their Strength
Inter Milan`s match against Bayern Munich feels like a classic Champions League encounter between two of the most successful clubs. This tie could reveal which team truly embodies that prestige.
Inter has been consistent this season, including in Europe, where they secured a top spot in their league group and comfortably won their round of 16 game against Feyenoord. There`s a sense that this Inter team lives up to the club`s reputation and ambitions, particularly after reaching the final two years ago. The pressure is on Bayern to match this level. Despite easily defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 and leading the Bundesliga, their Champions League campaign has been inconsistent. This matchup will be a crucial test for Vincent Kompany`s team to demonstrate their seriousness or highlight the work still needed after last year`s disappointments.
