The draw for the C1 quarter-finals took place this Friday in Nyon (Switzerland). DENIS BALIBOUSE
The round of 16 of C1 delivered their verdict. Now for the quarters. The draw took place this Friday in Nyon (Switzerland).
We know the posters of the quarter-finals of the Champions League! Real Madrid, holders, will face Chelsea. Grosse also displays between Manchester City and Bayern Munich, while a 100% Italian duel will take place between Naples and AC Milan. Finally, Inter Milan will play against Benfica.
The first leg quarter-finals will be played on April 11-12, 2023, and the return legs on April 18-19.
The configuration of the semi-finals is as follows:
- Milan AC OR Napoli VS Inter OR Benfica
- Chelsea OU Real Madrid VS Manchester City OU Bayern Munich.
The final will take place on June 10 in Istanbul.
Manchester City-Bayern Munich, tactical battle
The most enticing quarter-final is undoubtedly the one between Manchester City and Bayern Munich. After taking out Kylian Mbappé’s PSG, the Germans will have to fight again against the English and their star striker, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is in great shape after his quintuplet scored in the round of 16 return against Leipzig.
«It’s a very very difficult draw, but if you want to win the Champions League, you have to win against everyone, says Michael Gerlinger, legal director of Bayern Munich. It will be very interesting to play against Manchester City, both teams have a coach who loves the game, Pep Guardiola on one side, Julian Nagelesmann on the other. Haaland? He is very strong, he played an extraordinary match. We know how to defend against him.»
A surprise in the end
The configuration of the quarters and halves means that one of these four teams will necessarily be in the final: AC Milan, Inter Milan, Naples, Benfica.
With three representatives in the quarter, Italy have a good chance of presenting a contender in the final in Istanbul on June 10, and will have at least one in the semi-finals as Napoli and AC Milan face off. The Neapolitans of Luciano Spalletti, leaders of Serie A, have had an impressive season and start as favourites. However, they do not have the European experience of the Rossoneri, five-time winners of the competition.
Real Madrid-Chelsea, an air of deja vu
Madrid and Londoners had faced each other in 2022 at the semi-final stage. Author of a hat-trick, Karim Benzema had splashed the first leg of his talent, and Real had won 1-3 at Stamford Bridge. On the return, Chelsea led 1-3 in extra time at the Bernabeu before Benzema, again him, made it 2-3 and qualified the Merengue. Real Madrid then beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
There is no doubt that the double confrontation against the Blues counted for a lot in the Ballon d’Or won by the French international.