GOAL US writers make predictions for the Champions League last eight, with Real Madrid once again in the forefront
And now the Champions League gets real. It's taken a while. We have survived the turgid, revamped group phase, the weird extra knockout games, and a bit of an underwhelming last 16. What we have now are four really good European matchups that could set up an intriguing final.
Real Madrid play Arsenal on Tuesday and are, of course, favorites. But they face a tough test against Mikel Arteta's tricky Gunners. Inter and Bayern Munich will offer 180 plus minutes of fine entertainment – especially with Harry Kane scoring for fun. Meanwhile, there is every chance that Aston Villa or Borussia Dortmund could spring an upset and play with the big boys. But you'd be wrong to bet against PSG and the on-fire Ousmane Dembele at the moment.
Either way, it should make for good football. And there are plenty of star players to follow. Can Vinicius Jr break out of a relative slump and show up on the big stage? Is Arteta a big game manager, or one to grind through a season? Will Bayern Munich's Harry Kane actually end his trophy drought?
GOAL US writers break it all down in a Champions League edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images SportCan Arsenal realistically upset Real Madrid?
Tom Hindle: No. Don't intellectualize. Not gonna happen.
Jacob Schneider: Not a chance. Real Madrid are a certain pedigree, and the Gunners are nowhere near that at the moment. They may have two elite central defenders in Gabriel and William Saliba, and a brilliant winger in Bukayo Saka, but the other eight players on the field don't match Madrid's level – and that will be the difference. (Also, Vini vs. Ben White? C'mon.)
Alex Labidou: In theory, yes, but interestingly enough Real and Arsenal have essentially the same problem – a lack of a No. 9 who can capitalize on half chances. Where Real Madrid have an advantage is at almost every other position, where you can arguably they are top of class across the rest of their XI. Arsenal almost have to win due to their disappointments on the domestic level, yet it is virtually impossible to see how Real lose this one. They will push on.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWho wins between Inter and Bayern Munich?
TH: This is a tough one. Bayern were probably narrow favorites a few weeks ago, but Jamal Musiala's hamstring injury rather complicates things. Alphonso Davies' long term absence is also a real blow. Let's go with Inter, if only because they have more legs in midfield and their manager, Simeone Inzaghi, knows how to navigate big moments.
JS: This is arguably the most fascinating tie this round. Bayern have not looked like a true monster in the Bundesliga or UCL this season, but they have every reason to be – their roster is elite. Inter, meanwhile, are the best team in Serie A by a mile and have some truly brilliant performers, such as Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. Inter seem to have more composure, though, perhaps less panic if it's a close contest in the closing stages of the second leg.
AL: Three weeks ago, Bayern would be heavy favorites for this one, but injuries have changed the landscape. The Davies injury hasn't impacted the German giants much in league play, but the left back's absence will be felt in the UCL. He's one of three undisputed world-class players on the squad, along with Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala. Where Bayern still have the edge is in attack. Thuram and Martinez are solid, but aren't world-beaters. Advantage Bayern.
Getty Images SportWho's more likely to make a run, Aston Villa or Dortmund?
TH: There's something about Unai Emery and knockout football that always seems to click. Aston Villa are showing good stuff right now, and have the manager to get it done. , the Villains are fighting on so many fronts, and might just get outrun by PSG – whose wingers will make life miserable for Villa's full backs. Dortmund, meanwhile, have nothing to lose – as well as a bit of Champions League cred in the bank. In reality, both of them go out, but a Dortmund win over Barcelona wouldn't be an astronomical shock.
JS: Right now, it's Aston Villa. The Premier League side, since the flip of the calendar year, have lost just three matches across all competitions while recording 14 wins. They are in stellar form. However, PSG is a monstrosity of a foe. It's hard to see them finding a way past the French club.
AL: Neither have a favorable draw, but Aston Villa appear to be the safer bet. Villa aren't as good as they were last season in the league, but Emery is arguably one of the best managers in cup ties. The man has won the Europa League four times with modest budgeted teams and he's going up against a team he once coached in PSG. While PSG should be favored, it is easier to feel more confident in Villa pulling an upset than Dortmund, who have been chaotic all season.
Getty Images SportIs Real Madrid-Barcelona the ideal final?
TH: Nope. It's not really good for the sport. What would anyone actually learn from it? This competition is getting a bit samey, and there isn't much competitive interest in one team winning it over and over again. For the good of the game, Villa-Dortmund is probably the best. But in the realm of realism, wouldn't mind seeing PSG-Inter, or perhaps Arsenal-Bayern.
JS: From a storyline perspective, yes. From a pure footballing perspective? Also yes. The contest would be blockbuster. One of the greatest to ever play the striker position in Robert Lewandowski against the modern day phenom, Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Pedri. The list goes on. It is the finale the world would tune in to see.
AL: The Bayern-Dortmund 2013 Champions League final remains arguably the most underrated and likely best decider of the tournament since 2005 – Liverpool's famous win over AC Milan. A big part of that is the fact it was Germany's two biggest sides bringing their animosity to the match. So yes, raising soccer's biggest rivalry – one that already generates hundreds of millions of eyeballs each clash – to a Super Bowl-level atmosphere would be incredible. Most watched soccer game ever? It could be.