Manchester City have been paired with Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, setting up an intriguing clash between the recent champions of Europe and the tournament’s most successful side.

Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona in what could potentially be his final season with the French club, amid reports indicating his anticipated move to Barcelona’s rivals, Real Madrid, in the upcoming summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich will take on Arsenal, renewing a familiar rivalry that has seen Bayern emerge victorious over the north London club in previous encounters.

Bayern Munich supporters will be absent from the Emirates Stadium following UEFA’s sanctions against the German club for incidents involving fireworks during their previous match against Lazio in Rome.

The remaining fixture sees Atlético Madrid facing off against Borussia Dortmund.

In the semifinals, the winners of Atlético Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund will meet the victors of Barcelona vs. PSG, ensuring an intense battle between two of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Manchester City for a place in the final.

Barcelona’s clash with PSG will evoke memories of their recent encounters, notably the 2016-17 season when Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback from a 4-0 first-leg deficit to win 6-1 in the second leg, a match dubbed “La Remontada” by the Spanish media.

Real Madrid and Manchester City have also engaged in recent Champions League battles, meeting in the semifinals of the past two seasons. The first leg will take place at the Bernabeu on April 9 or 10, with the return fixture scheduled for Manchester the following week.

Following the draw, Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueño expressed anticipation for the showdown, acknowledging the strength of both teams and emphasizing the importance of securing a positive result at home.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the fixture’s recurrence, highlighting the tradition of facing the “king of the competition” and expressing readiness for the challenge.

The quarterfinal first legs will occur on April 9 and 10, with the return legs scheduled for April 16 and 17. This year’s Champions League final will be held at Wembley Stadium in London on June 1, marking the eighth time the prestigious event will be hosted at England’s national stadium.