Chelsea and Manchester City are on a Champions League collision course - but both must get past tough quarter-final ties if they're to meet in the semi-final.
Graham Potter's Chelsea will face holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the same stage where the 14-time winners beat the Blues last season. The Blues saw off Borussia Dortmund to reach the last eight, while Madrid – managed by former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti – beat Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate, in a repeat of last season's final.
Things aren't much easier for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola to face former club Bayern Munich, the 2020 winners, in the last eight. City thrashed Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in their last 16 tie, with Erling Haaland scoring five in the second leg, but they're unlikely to find things as straightforward against Julian Nagelsmann's reigning German champions, who eased past Paris Saint-Germain. It also means a reunion with Joao Cancelo, on loan at Bayern from City.
If both Chelsea and City progress, then they will meet in the semi-final – a repeat of the 2021 final which Chelsea won 1-0.
City sporting director Txiki Begiristain conceded Bayern are one of the toughest opponents they could have drawn, but said the German champions will not relish facing Guardiola's men
“They’re very strong of course,” said Begiristain. “Bayern are one of the candidates with us and you can see what they have done, they beat one of the other contenders in Paris Saint-Germain.
“They are a very strong team, very solid. It’s going to be very difficult, but I guess we’ll also be difficult for them. Any time it’s going to be a tough and wonderful game. Two good coaches, a lot of good players on the pitch and the proposals of both coaches and clubs are good ones.
“I can see a big show of great football. We’re okay. We’re fighting in all competitions and ready to go for them. We’re in a good mood, but the only thing is, of course, the opponents are there, so it’s a big one. We’re ready for the fight.
“We hope we can reach the semi-finals, we’re confident, we want to get that consistency in this competition too, so we have to go through."
It looks extremely likely that there will be an Italian outfit in the final, with the three Serie A sides all on the other side of the draw.
Runaway league leaders Napoli will meet AC Milan in the last eight, while Inter Milan face Portuguese side Benfica.
Luciano Spalletti's Partenopei will be the favourites of the four, having gone unbeaten in Europe so far this term and with an 18-point lead at the top of the Italian table making the Scudetto seemingly a formality.
Real Madrid's meeting with Chelsea will see ex-Blues 'keeper Thibaut Courtois make another return to Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian spoke this week about the success of Premier League clubs in Europe and their financial might - while pointing out Madrid's recent record against the English elite.
“It’s hard to say whether it’s the best league or not but definitely with the new investment in Chelsea, City and Newcastle, there is a lot of attraction to go to the Premier League,” said Courtois after his side's win over Liverpool. “It’s a really exciting league, that’s for sure, a big competitive league and the level is really high. But I think we demonstrate that we have a big team and that you cannot under-estimate Spanish teams. We showed it again.
“It’s obviously nice to beat English teams because I was there for a few years, but when you’re in the Champions League you want to win against everybody – maybe next it’s Portuguese and Italian clubs.”
Quarter-final draw in full
- Real Madrid vs Chelsea
- Inter Milan vs Benfica
- Manchester City vs Bayern Munich
- AC Milan vs Napoli
Semi-final draw in full
- AC Milan/Napoli vs Inter Milan vs Benfica
- Real Madrid/Chelsea vs Manchester City/Bayern Munich
