The UEFA Champions League returned in style this week, with the first legs of the quarter-finals unfolding on Tuesday and Wednesday. The round of 16 was enough to give any neutral fan a near heart attack—and the quarter-finals have been no different. From shocking upsets to reruns of iconic finals, here’s everything you need to know heading into next week’s decisive second-leg fixtures.
Arsenal Dismantle a Flustered and Discombobulated Real Madrid
The most shocking result of this year’s tournament came Tuesday night, when reigning champions Real Madrid traveled to the Emirates to face Arsenal. I had predicted a 1-0 win for the Gunners, expecting Madrid’s poor form and lack of conviction to cost them- and did it ever.
In all my years watching Real Madrid in the Champions League, I’ve never seen them capitulate like this. Los Blancos have always been the comeback kings, resilient in the face of impossible odds. But Tuesday was a wake-up call. While this squad is loaded with star power capable of scoring at will, they’ve coasted through the season without cohesion, consistency, or grit. And it finally caught up with them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t give Declan Rice the praise he deserved- scoring a pair of free kicks in a knock-out game is no small feat. In fact, Rice joins the elite company of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rivaldo, and Hakim Ziyech as the only players to score two direct free kicks in a single Champions league match. His two goals were some of the best set-piece strikes you will ever see—placement, curve, power, speed—they had it all.
More importantly, Arsenal played with intensity, purpose, and belief—qualities not often associated with them this season. It’s been a turbulent campaign for the Gunners, marred by injuries and inconsistency. Over two legs against the mighty Real Madrid, picking Arsenal to advance would’ve seemed foolish. But after their most complete European performance in recent memory, they’ve shown the football world they’re serious contenders for the title.
At 3-0 on aggregate, with one of Europe’s best defenses, Arsenal now have one foot in their first semi-final since 2009. While Madrid are always capable of magic, the absence of Eduardo Camavinga and their lack of resilience in the first-leg may ultimately be their undoing in this tie.
2nd Leg Prediction: 2-1 Real Madrid (4-2 Arsenal on Aggregate)
Bayern Munich Fail to Capitalize, Inter Milan Cash in
In a rematch of the 2010 Champions League final, Inter Milan once again found themselves victorious vs the Bavarian side. It wasn’t the most scintillating match, but in classic Italian football fashion, Inter were resolute defensively and clinical in attack.
Every year, the favorites’ conversation revolves around the usual suspects: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Man City, Bayern, and PSG. Rarely do you hear Inter Milan mentioned among Europe’s elite—yet somehow, they always manage to find themselves in the later stages of the tournament. This team isn’t flashy, doesn’t have the biggest names, or the most entertaining play style, but they consistently get the job done.
Like any great Italian side, Inter boast a rock-solid defense, a dynamic midfield, a clinical striker, and a tactically sharp manager. Simone Inzaghi may not be the most glamorous name in football, but since taking over in 2021, he’s delivered two league titles and a Champions League final appearance. He’s built a team that moves and defends as one—committed, cohesive, and hard to beat.
Bayern dominated the first half, generating chances through the wide play of Mikel Olise and Leroy Sané. But wide production only gets you so far when your striker has an off night—and for Harry Kane, it was just that. He hit the post, mistimed headers, and generally lacked the usual sharpness we are all so accustomed to seeing. They were unable to find a foothold in this match until Thomas Müller equalized in the 85th minute, only to immediately fall asleep again and concede just three minutes later.
There’s still plenty to play for in the second leg, and Bayern are never truly out of it. However, Inter have only lost twice at home all season, and with Bayern having to go on the offensive, leaving Lautaro Martínez with room to maneuver, they’re in a strong position to reach their second semi-final in three years.
2nd Leg Prediction: 3-1 Inter Milan (5-2 Aggregate Inter Milan on Aggregate)
Related: Striker Search: Why Top Clubs Should Bet on Jonathan David This Summer
PSG Prove Too Much for Aston Villa
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: PSG are by far and away the most entertaining team in Europe. After years of spending obscene amounts of money on players, cycling through world-class managers, and failing to find a winning identity, Luis Enrique has finally unlocked something special.We saw the first glimpse when they tore through Liverpool in the round of 16, and their win against Aston Villa was more of the same. Aside from conceding a first-half goal, PSG dominated every facet of the game—every matchup, every duel—and never let off the gas.
This team is equal parts entertaining and effective, and they play the beautiful game the way it’s meant to be played. Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been sensational on the wings, constantly attacking fullbacks and creating chaos. Enrique’s system allows them to thrive in space and play with total freedom—something we rarely see from wingers in today’s game.
Currently they are the best team both on and off the ball, and this dominance can be reflected in their undefeated domestic league campaign. They’ve also shown tactical consistency—playing with the same energy and style over both legs against Liverpool and now again versus Villa. This team can beat anyone, and for me, they’re clear favorites to lift the trophy.
Villa head into the second leg needing to chase goals, but in doing so, they’ll open themselves up defensively- something they did not do today, yet still conceded. Despite the 3-1 scoreline, PSG could’ve easily scored five or six, which is very much on the cards for the next match. It’s been over 40 years since Aston Villa played in the Champions League, and they should be proud of their campaign—but they’ve run into a team that’s simply on another level, or in football terms, “different gravy”.
2nd Leg Prediction: 2-0 PSG (5-1 PSG on Aggregate)
Barcelona Thrash a Depleted Borussia Dortmund at Home
To round out the first-leg ties, Dortmund traveled to Catalonia to face Barcelona. A decade ago, this would’ve been a heavyweight clash. But with Dortmund enduring a poor season and missing several key players, Barca made quick work of them. Robert Lewandowski bagged two, Raphinha delivered a man-of-the-match performance, and Barcelona looked back to their best. The real question now is: can this Barca team go the distance?
Since winning it all with the legendary MSN trio in 2015, the Champions League crown has eluded Barcelona. The club’s been through rough times—losing key players, battling financial issues, and suffering high-profile collapses in Europe. Now, under Hansi Flick and with a talented new core, they finally seem poised for success. Raphinha, Pedri, Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal are thriving in Flick’s system, and Barcelona look like a team reborn.
They still need to finish the job in the second leg, but with a dominant first-leg win, they’re all but through to the semis. Assuming they meet Inter Milan next, that could be the true test—but this might just be the year Barca return to their first European final since 2015.
2nd Leg Prediction: 3-1 Barcelona (7-1 Barcelona on Aggregate)
It’s been another brilliant week of European football, and next week’s second legs are shaping up to be even better. So clear your calendar—these are matches you won’t want to miss.
