The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals draw was made today and holders Chelsea will face Real Madrid while Liverpool have been pitted against Benfica. Manchester City will slug it out with Athletico Madrid as Bayern Munich face Villareal.
As for the semifinals, The winner of the Chelsea vs Real Madrid tie will face the winner of the game between Man City and Athletico Madrid. While the winner between Liverpool vs Benfica will face the winner of the Bayern vs Villareal fixture.
Here, FootballOrbit looks at the winners and losers from the draw.
Winners: Bayern Munich
Bayern won all their group stage matches including both fixtures against Barcelona. The Bavarians got a relatively easy draw against RB Salzburg in the round of 16 — and prevailed 8-2 on aggregate.
Bayern will be more than happy to have been drawn against Villareal in the quarterfinals. Villareal shocked Juventus in the previous round, but it was a smash-and-grab victory.
Losers: Benfica
Benfica have been impressive in this season’s Champions League as they qualified for the knockout stages ahead of Barcelona in their group.
The Portuguese side also defeated Ajax in the round of 16 but it seems like their fairytale run is about to end as they have been drawn against Liverpool in the quarterfinals.
Winners: Liverpool
Liverpool are on course to win the quadruple this season and they have won the Carabao Cup already.
In the previous round of the Champions League, they eliminated a very stubborn Inter Milan side. The Reds have now been handed probably the weakest team remaining in the competition (Benfica).
Losers: Chelsea
The defending champions are going through a turbulent period at the moment as their owner, Roman Abramovich, has been sanctioned by the British government and the EU. The Blues have been hit hard by the sanctions, they have also been banned from selling tickets to fans and probably, their home game against Real Madrid will be played behind closed doors. Except if they have gotten a new owner before then.
Chelsea will face a red hot Karim Benzema-led Real side that dumped PSG out of the competition in the previous round.
Winners: Neutrals
Neutral fans will be excited by the thrilling games coming up in the Champions League quarterfinals. Especially the Chelsea vs Real Madrid and Man City vs Athletico Madrid games which will definitely be firecrackers.
Losers: Real Madrid
Both teams in the Chelsea vs Madrid draw will have preferred to avoid each other at this stage. Although Real dumped PSG out in the round of 16, they will face a defensively resolute Chelsea side who eliminated them in the semifinals last season on their way to eventually winning the trophy.
Losers: Athletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s men secured an hard-fought victory against Manchester United in the last round but they will have to return to the city of Manchester again in the quarterfinals as they have been drawn against Man City.
Pep Guardiorla’s side— who reached the final last season — are on a much different level to United and are desperate to win their first ever Champions League trophy.
The first legs of the quarterfinal matches will be played on the 5th and 6th of April while the second leg ties will be on the 12th and 13th of April.
What do you think of the draw? Use the comment box below to share your opinions.
