Champions League Quarter Final Draw
We're back to that time of the season, where eight teams remain in the most prestigious European competition. The First Round brought upsets, with Spanish football getting slain completely. Real Madrid lost to Bayern Munich, while Paris Saint-Germain got an unexpected win over Barcelona and Atletico found themselves getting run over by in-form Chelsea. Last but not least, Valencia also dropped out, against a brilliant FC Porto.
Teams
Chelsea
Bayern Munich
FC Porto
Paris Saint-Germain
Manchester United
Juventus
Liverpool
Borussia Dortmund
Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain have been starved for more European action since last season, where they were knocked out of the Champions League in just the First Round by Liverpool, and showed just how hungry they were for success by triumphing over Barcelona in a 2-1 aggregate win over two legs. Led by captain Edinson Cavani and talented frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG boasts a splendid attack but are also capable of remaining responsible at the back, with Thiago Silva as a commanding presence in the middle of their defence.
Key Player:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Bayern Munich have been disappointing in the Bundesliga all season, staying stagnant at second largely because of the resurgent Dortmund. The Bavarians made it all the way to the Semi Finals last year, but got no further than that, losing to Manchester United who then went on to win the Champions League. In Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski, Bayern have two great forwards who are very capable of getting the goals that they need, but the German team's strengths mostly lie in midfield and defence, where they have the likes of old guards Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso, and Philipp Lahm.
Key Player:
Philipp Lahm
Porto vs Liverpool
Porto have made a return to the Champions League after a season in the Europa League, and are clearly determined to get the best out of their opportunity, showing some genuine class to get past Valencia in the First Round. No doubt one of the smaller fries still left in the competition - their only dangerous man comes in the form of lethal Colombian striker Jackson Martinez - but the Portuguese giants, who are used to success from domestic tournaments, could produce miracles at any time and are not to be underestimated.
Key Player:
Jackson Martinez
After tasting defeat in the Quarter Finals for two years in a row, Liverpool are desperate to hit greater heights and propel themselves toward their first Champions League title under Brendan Rodgers. Inter Milan experienced their resolution first hand, as Liverpool managed to put six goals past them to advance. In Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, and James Ward-Prowse, the five-time winners have a splendid midfield force, as well as a powerful striker in Daniel Sturridge to compliment their attacking threat.
Key Player:
Raheem Sterling
Dortmund vs Manchester United
It is no doubt going to be a tough ask to break down United, the winners of last season's Champions League, but Dortmund is a team that can do just that. Der BVB have undergone a revival of some sorts this season, storming the Bundesliga, and have taken their form into Europe, knocking out Tottenham on a 3-0 aggregate score. If they want to get any further, captain Mats Hummels will be a crucial factor. Opposing defenders also have to look out for the striking partnership of Max Kruse and Ciro Immobile.
Key Player:
Mat Hummels
Struggling initially under new manager Joachim Low, United have returned to their dominant days and are currently on a red hot streak of form. The Red Devils trashed Benfica last round and will be hopeful of repeating their 5-1 feat. This season, veterans like Wayne Rooney and Falcao have struggled constantly with injuries and fitness levels, and as a result the younger players are stepping up, with a prime example being the fantastic Adnan Januzaj, who has been instrumental in his side's rise. Nathan Redmond, a summer signing from Norwich, is also definitely worth a mention.
Key Player:
Adnan Januzaj
Chelsea vs Juventus
Last time around, Chelsea made it all the way to the Champions League Final, only to be beaten by Manchester United at that exact point for the second time in their history, the first coming in 2008. This year, they are raring to go again, and showed just that with a 5-1 humbling of Atletico Madrid in the First Round. Oscar and Diego Costa have been nothing but trouble for Chelsea's opponents, but the man that defenders have to keep an eye on is undoubtedly Eden Hazard.
Key Player:
Eden Hazard
Fresh from crushing German side Leverkusen and stepping all over their dreams of European glory, Juventus are one of the world's most unstoppable teams and have conquered the Serie A title in Italy for five years in a row now. Unfortunately, they have not brought that dominance into the Champions League and are looking to do just that this season. Carlos Tevez and Christian Eriksen are just two of the Old Lady's many skillful players, as well as World XI left-back Ricardo Rodriguez. But their best player, by far, is French playmaker Paul Pogba.
Key Player:
Paul Pogba