The Champions League quarter-final draw threw up some absolutely thrilling ties, including a repeat of last year’s final.
Other matches include an all-English affair between Liverpool and Manchester City, while Roma travel to the Camp Nou in the first leg to play Barcelona.
German champions Bayern Munich will face Sevilla in the fourth quarter final of this year’s Champions League.
Here’s our reaction to a thrilling draw from Nyom.
Barcelona vs. Roma
Barcelona
Group D winner
Last 16: Beat Chelsea 4-1 on aggregate
Barcelona have been in imperious form in Europe this season and are still undefeated. However, they rode their luck against Chelsea in the last round and depending on who you ask, some might consider them fortunate to have made it this far. Having said that, Lionel Messi has shown no signs of slowing down and reached 100 Champions League goals in the two matches against the Blues.
Roma
Group C winner
Last 16: Beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 on aggregate (away goals)
Like Barcelona, Roma have also faced Chelsea this season in the Champions League and didn’t lose. They’ll go into this tie as massive outsiders, but they’ll fancy their chances, particularly with Edin Dzeko upfront. The Bosnian has only found the back of the net three times in Europe this season, but Barcelona have shown frailties in defence that he’ll be able to take advantage of.
Sevilla vs. Bayern Munich
Sevilla
Group E runner up
Last 16: Beat Manchester United 2-1 on aggregate
Sevilla are making their first appearance in a Champions League final in 60 years and they’ve been drawn against German heavyweights Bayern Munich. You can’t discount them though, after coming through against a much-fancied Manchester United team in the last round. On top of that, they’ve shown good mental strength to come back and draw games against Liverpool in the group stage. Wissam Ben Yedder was the star of the tie against Manchester United, but the Spanish side will have their work cut out against Bayern.
Bayern Munich
Group B runner up
Last 16: Beat Besiktas 8-1 on aggregate
Bayern’s 3-0 defeat in the group stage to Paris Saint Germain was a bleak moment in the Bavarian’s calendar. That result saw the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign as manager and there’s been no looking back since Jupp Heynckes returned to the helm for a fourth time. They stormed through the last 16 stage, thanks to a 5-0 win away at Besiktas and they showed their ruthlessness in the second leg. They could have played out a 0-0, but they went and won 3-1 at the Allianz Arena. Robert Lewandowski has been their star player in the Champions League this season, with five goals in seven games, while the latter stages could also see Manuel Neuer return from injury. They should have enough to secure a passage to the semi-finals in this one.
Juventus vs. Real Madrid
Juventus
Group D runner up
Last 16: Beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on aggregate
Juventus will be keen for revenge when they come up against Real Madrid, after losing to the Merengues in last season’s final. They were runners-up to Barcelona in the group, but they came into their own against Spurs in the last 16, where they showed their experience in the competition. It’s Gianluigi Buffon’s last chance to win this competition and there’ll be no lacking in motivation ahead of this one.
Real Madrid
Group H runner up
Last 16: Beat Paris Saint Germain 5-2 on aggregate
Cristiano Ronaldo has shown no signs of his power waning this season and has 12 goals in just eight Champions League games. The Spanish side have struggled in La Liga this campaign, but their victory over PSG in the last round showed that they’re not on the decline. The Spanish club are looking for a third consecutive Champions League win, but they’ll have to overcome a formidable opponent in Juventus if they are to do so. This one could go either way.
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
Liverpool
Group E winner
Last 16: Beat Porto 5-0 on aggregate
Liverpool are the only team to have beaten Manchester City in the Premier League this season, which makes this an even more exciting tie. The two sides played out a thrilling 4-3 at Anfield in January, while the Reds are still unbeaten in European action this season. If City can keep Liverpool’s front three quiet, then they’ll win. If they can’t, then this is anyone’s game.
Manchester City
Group F winner
Last 16: Beat Basel 5-2 on aggregate
City have lost twice in Europe this season, but both have been in dead-rubber games. The first coming against Shakhtar in the last match of the group stage, the second coming in the last 16, after beating Basel 4-0 away from home. Pep Guardiola was bought to City to achieve European success and it’ll be bitterly disappointing for all involved at the Etihad if they were to make an exit at this point in the competition.
