#FootballFocus: Previewing the Champions League quarter-finals

Two clashes of titans and an Italian derby will headline a tantalising last-8 series of matchups in the Champions League.

The competition returns on April 11 and will see Benfica take on Inter Milan and Manchester City clashing with Bayern Munich.

It is a dream draw for both Benfica and Inter who avoid the biggest teams left in the competition and have a significantly better chance of earning semi-final berths.

They defeated Belgium’s Club Brugge and Portugal’s Porto respectively, continuing a series of favourable matchups which have already seen the teams exceed expectations.

Porto are in better form domestically, but Inter face a tougher league on a weekly basis and should still be the favourites to advance.

In the match of the night – and arguably the competition – however, English champions City take on German champions Bayern.

City dismantled a hapless RB Leipzig 8-1 over two legs, while Bayern’s German efficiency proved too much for Paris Saint Germain’s star striking power.

It is beginning to reach crunch time for Pep Guardiola’s City team who have dominated the Premier League but have yet to taste continental glory.

They signed Norwegian striker Erling Haaland for just that reason and his return of five goals in the second leg against Leipzig certainly proves his form.

Guardiola has a tendency to overthink knockout games, but a battering ram such as Haaland might be the perfect salve.

Bayern showed their ruthless standards when they fired manager Julian Nagelsmann last week for comparatively weak domestic form that has left them second in the Bundesliga.

His replacement, Thomas Tuchel, tasted Champions League victory with Chelsea just two years ago and the German giants will be desperate for a repeat.

Expect two thrilling matches – but you would have to pick a hungry City team in crushing Champions League form.

The aforementioned Chelsea are part of the third quarter on April 12 versus defending champions Real Madrid, whose galacticos have a knack for winning the competition from nowhere.

Chelsea’s Premier League form has been torrid under new manager Graham Potter, who will see Madrid as a perfect team against whom to deliver a statement of intent.

Madrid will be hoping to clinch a potentially final win for an ageing Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos who have been integral to their golden generation dominance.

Smart money says Madrid will overpower the Blues unless Potter can finally direct his expensive forces towards a common goal.

The final match is an all Italian affair, as Serie A leaders Napoli travel to face AC Milan.

Napoli are in thrilling domestic form, while Milan languish in 4th, but you can never count out the continental flair and history that Milan carry.

With striker Victor Osimhen and winger Khvicha Kvaratshkelia in sparkling form however, Napoli should have too much for their countrymen.

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