15 March 2024 , 17:23
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Manchester City and Arsenal will do Champions League battle ON THE SAME NIGHT after both being handed mouthwatering quarter-finals.
City will meet 14-time European Cup winners Real Madrid. The teams have met at the semi-final stage in the last two seasons, with City hammering Real 4-0 at the Etihad last season on their way to winning their first Champions League title, having suffered an improbable late defeat the previous year.
Arsenal have been drawn against six-time winners Bayern Munich, ensuring a return to north London for England captain Harry Kane. The Gunners have lost each of their last three meetings with Bayern 5-1, but Mikel Arteta's men will arguably be favourites against Thomas Tuchel's side this time around.
City will be away to Real on April 9, with Arsenal at home to Bayern on the same evening. The return legs will be played on April 17. On April 10, PSG face Barcelona while Atletico Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund .The return matches will be on April 16.
Bayern forward Thomas Muller said on Twitter: “And it’s Arsenal. Kai Havertz, my friend, I am waiting for you. It is a nice draw. Two very good teams, two very good stadiums, two very good cities. It will be tough, but I am always positive. See you Gunners.”
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City and Arsenal will meet in the semi-finals if they can negotiate their tricky quarter-final ties. The semi-finals take place on April 30 and May 1, with the return legs on May 7 and 8. Wembley will host the final on Saturday, June 1.
City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain is relishing the clash with Real and said: “We have been playing them a while now in the last few seasons. We all remember when we beat them in the semi-final last year – it was amazing. Last season when we played them at home in the second leg we played a top, top game.
“We know how strong they are – they are top of the league. They have good players, play good football and they have one of the best players in the world.”
Asked if City could retain their title, Begiristain said: “Yes, why not? We are doing very well in this competition and winning the games. Mentally, we are strong and top in confidence.
“We are going to need it to beat Real Madrid. We are confident – in the last years we’ve been fighting for this competition and last year we won it. We hope we can keep the winning run going.”
Champions League Quarter-Final Dates
April 9: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich | Real Madrid vs Manchester City
April 10: Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund | PSG vs Barcelona
April 16: Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid | Barcelona vs PSG
April 17: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal | Manchester City vs Real Madrid
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