The stage is set for the this season’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final fixtures taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa are the teams that made it to the last-8 stage.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that Arsenal will host Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium, while Bayern Munich will welcome Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena.
On Wednesday, Barcelona will take on Borussia Dortmund at home, while Paris Saint-Germain will tackle Aston Villa in Paris.
All fixtures promise to be exciting as all eight teams will be hoping to get the better of their opponents when the games begin.
However, NEWSUNPLUG takes a look at arguably the star match of the quarter-final stage, which is Arsenal vs Real Madrid.
Arsenal had knocked out PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16 stage, while Real Madrid eliminated LaLiga rivals, Atletico Madrid.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that Arsenal’s last-8 first leg clash with Real Madrid will take place at the Emirates Stadium by 8pm, Nigerian time.
Arsenal head to the game following a 1-1 draw with Everton in the Premier League in their last match at the weekend.
The Gunners currently sit in the second position on the Premier League table behind leaders, Liverpool.
Arsenal is in good form in the Champions League so far this season and they won four home games at Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League North London club has never lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League before.
The last time both teams met in the Champions League was in 2006 which Arsenal defeated Real Madrid in the knockout stage.
Real Madrid, on the other hand is in good form in Champions League so far this season and they won three away games.
The Los Blancos head to the game after losing 2-1 against Valencia in the LaLiga over the weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side currently sit in the second position on the LaLiga table behind leaders Barcelona.
Speaking with NEWSUNPLUG on Monday, Saheed Afolabi, who works at Clear TV, said the Champions League last-8 fixture between Arsenal and Real Madrid is going to be a “clash of great swift of attacking display and defensive prowess.”
According to him, it’s a crucial test for both teams, despite failing to win their league games at the weekend.
He noted that much work will be on the defenders and not the attackers during the encounter.
“The Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Arsenal is a crucial test for both teams, despite not winning their respective league games over the weekend,” Afolabi told DAILY POST.
“Madrid lost to Valencia and Arsenal played a 1-1 draw with Everton. For me, it wouldn’t have any reflect on the Champions League game.
“Champions League is Champions League and it’s different from league matches. Real Madrid over the years have shown that they are specialist in the Champions League and they know how to get things done.
“Even if you’re leading Real Madrid with one or two goals towards the end of 90 minutes don’t be rest assured that you have won the game untill the final whistle is blown before you can jubilate for winning Real Madrid.
“So they know how to pull up surprises, they know how to pull strings together to get their desire results in the Champions League.
“So it’s going to be a tough game between both sides, an intriguing and exciting game to watch out for. To me personally, I think their last league games wouldn’t have any effect on the game.
“It will depend on the team performances and [Bukayo] Saka is back from injury and unfortunately Arsenal defender Gabriel is out with injury and it’s a huge blow to Arsenal.
“But Real Madrid are in best shape but the return of Saka is also a boost to the attacking threat of Arsenal, so it would be a great encounter between both sides,” he added.
Speaking on what fans should expect from the Arsenal versus Real Madrid clash, Afolabi added:
“Fans should brace-up for an exciting football match between two attacking sides. Both teams have great attacking potentials in their squads.
“So it would be a great game to watch for fans all over the world because seeing an English team playing an attacking football and a Spanish giants who are also known for their attacking style of play coming together, it’s going to be a great swift of an attacking display.
“Much more we would learn from this game is going to be the defensive prowess of both sides because you can’t dispute the fact that both teams are good at attacking.
“One major factor that would come to play is the defenders. It matters how defenders can be on top of their game and make sure they stop the attacking threat of their opponent.
“So much work will be on the defenders and not the strikers. So the fans should come watch the best of football,” he stated.
DAILY POST reports that the return fixture of Arsenal vs Real Madrid tie will take place next week Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in Spain.
