3. Inter vs. Bayern Munich\n
This is a matchup that brings the classic prestige of the Champions League and just like the others, offers a chance for both sides to truly prove their worth as a contender for the whole thing. The pressure’s on Bayern Munich to bring the entertainment, though \u2013 they may be runaway favorites to win the Bundesliga but have been fairly inconsistent in the Champions League, which means a matchup against Inter will be a tough one. The Italian champions have been one of Europe’s most consistent teams this season and are starting to make a case as a dark horse contender to win the Champions League, and a tie against a vulnerable Bayern side could favor them.\n
2. Real Madrid vs. Arsenal\n
This is arguably the most attention-seeking tie of the bunch and not only because of Real Madrid’s star-studded roster. The intrigue of this matchup is that the Champions League remains Arsenal’s last chance to win a trophy this season, however improbable it might be, which means the Gunners could provide Real Madrid with a stiff test. The reigning champions seem to be peaking at the right time after an inconsistent league phase outing and might win this tie with few complications, but they will undoubtedly have to prove their worth first.\n
1. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa\n
In another year, this might not be the most exciting knockout tie but please allow for an argument in both teams’ favor. After outplaying and eliminating Liverpool in the round of 16, Paris Saint-Germain have surprisingly emerged as the most fun team left in the Champions League, so it’s officially time to see how far they can go. It feels almost certain that they will keep the entertainment levels high in the quarterfinals, though they will encounter an Aston Villa side with their own selling points. Unai Emery’s side have been revitalized this winter after adding Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford to their books, making the English side an intriguing team to watch in their own right.\n
Plus, there’s just so much narrative behind this tie. Emery will face his former club, while he and his counterpart Luis Enrique were in charge for La Remontada, when Enrique’s Barcelona beat Emery’s PSG 6-1 to overcome a four-goal deficit from the first leg in the round of 16 back in 2017. Additionally, Asensio is on loan at Villa from PSG and may have a point to prove against his parent club. In the end, though, either the most fun team in the Champions League will advance or the competition will have its biggest upset of the tournament. For a neutral, that’s a win-win.\n\n\n