Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland gets a crack at Ruben Dias and John Stones
The Champions League quarter-final draw is done:
Man City v Borussia Dortmund
Porto v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v PSG
Real Madrid v Liverpool
That is one juicy line-up. Not one meh tie. Btw, the winners of Real v Liverpool will play the winners of Porto v Chelsea in the semi-final, which leaves arguably the three strongest teams – Man City, Bayern and PSG – in one half of the draw.
First thoughts:
- Someone at UEFA really doesn’t want PSG to win the trophy. Bayern in the last eight. Ouch. I mean, PSG could beat the defending champs and get revenge for last year’s final loss, but I don’t think they will (even though I think Bayern were clearly a better team last season).
- Chelsea will be smiling. They’ve avoided the strongest teams. They’re definitely good enough to beat Porto – although it will be tough – and then taking on the winner of Real v Liverpool would be arguably an easier tie. That could set up a Tuchel v PSG storyline for the final.
- Erling Haaland gets a crack at Man City’s much improved defence. Yes please, I would very much like to see that. Actually, although Dortmund have their flaws, it could be a trickier tie for Pep and co. than it seems. Haaland is in such monstrous form, you have to think he will cause City trouble.
- Real v Liverpool might once have been the biggest tie here, but I think they’re the two weakest teams left in the competition. With their heritage though, I’m not saying either couldn’t find a way to win it. Well, okay, I am saying that.
Predictions: Man City, Chelsea, Bayern and Real to go through; Chelsea to beat Bayern in the final. Everything is coming up Tuchel.