Champions League Quarter-Finals: Who Faces Who?

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final matchups have been revealed, featuring thrilling clashes between Europe’s elite clubs. English teams Aston Villa and Arsenal are set to face formidable opponents, while other heavyweight clashes promise high-intensity football.

Champions League Quarter-Final Fixtures

Aston Villa will take on Paris Saint-Germain, while Arsenal face a tough challenge against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Unai Emery’s current club, Aston Villa, and his former team, Paris Saint-Germain, secured their places in the last eight with dominant performances. Villa triumphed 3-0 against Club Brugge, securing a 6-1 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with PSV confirmed their advancement with a commanding 9-3 aggregate win.

Other exciting matchups include Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona. With top-tier European clubs in action, fans can expect electrifying football across all fixtures.

How Have the English Clubs Performed?

Liverpool suffered a heartbreaking exit after losing 4-1 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. Under new manager Arne Slot, the Reds faced their first major setback in Europe this season.

Initially struggling in the league phase, Paris Saint-Germain made a late surge to finish 15th in the standings. They look more potent than ever as they gear up to face Aston Villa in April.

Aston Villa, making their first European Cup or Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1983, will relish the opportunity to challenge the French giants.

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund & Real Madrid completed the quarter-final line-up on Wednesday ✅

Full round-up 👇

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Arsenal cruised past PSV with an emphatic 7-1 victory in the first leg, followed by a 2-2 draw in the return fixture. If both English clubs win their respective ties, they will face each other in the semi-finals, ensuring an all-Premier League showdown.

Last year’s champions, Manchester City, were eliminated by Real Madrid in the previous knockout phase.

When Are the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals?

• Quarter-Finals: First legs on April 8 and 9, with second legs on April 15 and 16.
• Semi-Finals: First legs on April 29 and 30, with return fixtures on May 6 and 7.
• Final: May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Could We See an El Clásico Final?

Yes! Barcelona and Real Madrid have never faced each other in a Champions League or European Cup final. However, with both teams on opposite sides of the draw, a historic first El Clásico final is possible if they advance past the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

A repeat of last year’s final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund is also a potential outcome.

How Do Countries Earn an Extra Champions League Spot?

UEFA allocates additional Champions League spots based on country coefficients. These coefficients are determined by the performance of clubs in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

• Points Calculation: Teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw. The total points are divided by the number of teams from that league participating in Europe.
• Bonus Points: Champions League teams earn additional bonus points, benefiting leagues with multiple competing teams, such as Germany and Italy.
• Top Two Countries: The leagues ranking highest in the coefficient table secure an extra Champions League spot for the following season.

Italy and Germany secured the extra spots this season, with Bologna (Serie A) and Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga) benefiting from the additional qualification slots.

Could England Get a Fifth Champions League Spot?

England currently leads the coefficient table despite Manchester City and Liverpool exiting the tournament. Italy is second, while Spain and Germany are battling for a top-two finish.

With Paris Saint-Germain as the only remaining French club, Ligue 1 has limited opportunities to climb the rankings. Meanwhile, Lyon, competing in the Europa League, remains France’s last hope in European competitions.

How the Europa League Winner Impacts Champions League Qualification

England could secure up to seven Champions League spots next season. The Champions League winners and Europa League automatically qualify for next season’s tournament.

Previously, UEFA capped each league’s maximum Champions League participants at five. However, this rule has been scrapped, allowing additional teams to qualify under new regulations.

For example, suppose Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League but fail to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League. In that case, they will still earn a place in next season’s Champions League. This opens the door for multiple English clubs to compete at the highest level of European football.

Exciting Times Ahead in European Football

The Champions League quarter-finals promise thrilling encounters between Europe’s best clubs. With potential all-English semi-finals, a historic El Clásico final, and multiple teams vying for extra qualification spots, football fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for all the action as the road to Munich continues!