The UEFA Champions League is down to its final eight teams, and the action intensifies this week as they compete for a spot in the final on May 31 at Munich`s Allianz Arena.
Real Madrid against Arsenal stands out as a major quarterfinal showdown, but every pairing offers unique and exciting storylines. Current champions Real Madrid are still in contention for three major titles, just like Barcelona. Barcelona will face Borussia Dortmund, who played in last season`s Champions League final. Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are also aiming for a treble, each facing different challenges. PSG, with their youthful and dynamic team, will play against Aston Villa, who are having an impressive season, returning to the Champions League after a long absence. Inter Milan will go up against Bayern Munich, who need to demonstrate their championship caliber after inconsistent performances in Europe.
The two-game quarterfinals start on Tuesday and continue until April 16. Teams will advance to the next round based on their combined score from both matches. If needed, the second leg games will include extra time and penalty shootouts to decide the winner.
Here’s what you need to know before this crucial round of Champions League games.
How to Watch
You can catch all the Champions League action this week on various channels. Check your local listings for broadcast details.
Quarterfinal TV Schedule
Tuesday, April 8
| Event | Time (U.S./Eastern) | How to Watch |
| UEFA Champions League Today Pre-Match Show | 1:30 p.m. | Check local listings |
| The Golazo Show | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Bayern Munich vs. Inter | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Arsenal vs. Real Madrid | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| UEFA Champions League Today Post-Match Show | 5 p.m. | Check local listings |
| The Champions Club | 5 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Scoreline | 7 p.m. | Check local listings |
Wednesday, April 9
| Event | Time (U.S./Eastern) | How to Watch |
| UEFA Champions League Today Pre-Match Show | 2 p.m. | Check local listings |
| The Golazo Show | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa | 3 p.m. | Check local listings |
| UEFA Champions League Today Post-Match Show | 5 p.m. | Check local listings |
| The Champions Club | 5 p.m. | Check local listings |
| Scoreline | 7 p.m. | Check local listings |
Quarterfinal Storylines
1. Real Madrid and Arsenal Face Off in Uneven Seasons
Each Champions League week brings up the same question: Which Real Madrid team will show up? Their season has been inconsistent, especially in the league stage where they suffered several losses. However, their form has improved recently, defeating Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to reach the quarterfinals. This suggests they might be peaking at the perfect moment. Their matchup against Arsenal this month will be a true test of this theory.
Real Madrid has not managed a clean sheet in their last eight games, and most of their recent matches have been decided by a single goal, with one draw. Their defense has often been vulnerable, relying heavily on their powerful attack to compensate. This strategy hasn`t always guaranteed wins, as seen in their recent loss to Valencia. Despite these inconsistencies, Real Madrid has a unique ability to win even when not playing their best, making them still a strong contender for the Champions League title.
While Real Madrid`s path to the quarterfinals has been challenging, Arsenal has had a smoother journey, performing strongly in the league phase and easily defeating PSV in the previous round. Playing against Real Madrid will be Arsenal`s first major test to prove their title ambitions. However, they will be missing key players due to injuries for these games. While Saka is back, Gabriel and Jurien Timber are out. This raises questions about Arsenal`s ability to seriously challenge Real Madrid, especially as they aim to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time in approximately twenty years.
2. PSG and Aston Villa Compete for Semifinal Spot
It might have seemed unlikely for Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa to reach the Champions League semifinals at the start of the season, but both teams have worked hard and are now close to the final four. They must first overcome each other, creating one of the most intriguing quarterfinal matchups.
PSG impressed by defeating Liverpool in the round of 16, showcasing their exciting style of play. Under Luis Enrique, the team`s direction after Kylian Mbappe`s departure looks promising. Aston Villa might appear to be an easier opponent than Liverpool, but Unai Emery`s team has improved with the additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Ascensio in January. A close contest is expected between these two teams, adding to the interesting narratives: Emery and Ascensio will be playing against their former (or parent) club, and Emery previously lost to Enrique`s Barcelona in the famous “La Remontada” match in 2017.
3. Inter and Bayern Seek to Prove Their Strength
The clash between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich feels like a classic Champions League game between two highly successful clubs. This quarterfinal tie will reveal which of these teams truly lives up to its prestigious reputation.
Inter has shown consistent performance this season, both domestically and in Europe. They secured a top spot in their Champions League group and comfortably won their round of 16 tie against Feyenoord. This Inter team arguably matches the club`s history and ambitions, especially considering their recent appearance in the final two years ago. The pressure is on Bayern to match Inter`s level. Despite easily overcoming Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round and leading the Bundesliga, Bayern`s Champions League campaign has been inconsistent. This matchup will be a crucial test for Vincent Kompany`s Bayern to demonstrate their title credentials and show how much progress they`ve made since last year`s disappointments.
