© Imago
The perennial Champions League winners meet the perpetual European also-rans in Tuesday’s colossal continental tie, as Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the first leg of their quarter-final.
The Gunners put nine past PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 to storm into the final eight for the second year running, while the holders needed the lottery of penalties to edge out fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
We say: Arsenal 1-1 Real Madrid
Defence should have been the best form of attack for Arsenal before Gabriel and Calafiori’s crushing blows; the former’s absence means that the Gunners will also not be able to fully capitalise on Real Madrid’s set-piece failings, which were exposed by Valencia at the weekend.
However, as Arsenal only conceded at the weekend due to a contentious penalty, and Jakub Kiwior inspired confidence with his display in Gabriel’s shoes, we have faith in Arteta’s men to claim a draw in front of the raucous North London crowd, albeit one that will mean advantage Real Madrid for the Bernabeu battle.
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© Imago
Nearly 15 years on from locking horns in the 2009-10 Champions League final, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and Serie A champions Inter Milan square off for a place in this year’s semi-finals, starting with Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany’s men triumphed in an all-German battle with Bayer Leverkusen to advance to the final eight, while the Nerazzurri ended Feyenoord’s European journey in the last 16.
We say: Bayern Munich 2-1 Inter Milan
The very definition of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, Tuesday’s battle will be nothing short of a fascinating fight between an attack-minded Bayern and a defensively-sound Inter.
Absentees and knocks on both sides could impact both managers’ game plans, though, and even with Musiala not strutting his stuff in the final third, we can still picture a Kane and Michael Olise-inspired Bayern taking a slender lead to San Siro.
> Champions League preview: Bayern vs Inter Milan
> Has Bastoni survived injury scare? Predicted Inter Milan XI vs. Bayern
> Musiala missing, Kane concern: Predicted Bayern XI vs. Inter Milan
