We’re getting right down to the enterprise finish of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League after this week’s slate of video games reduce the sector of groups in half.
The spherical of 16 threw up a number of surprises, whereas a number of of the match’s prime heavyweights additionally managed to punch their tickets for the quarterfinals, which run from April 7-15.
Listed here are the massive questions going through the remaining eight golf equipment who stay in rivalry for a spot within the closing on Might 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
Spherical of 16: vs. Bayern Leverkusen (3-1 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Sporting CP
Can Arsenal be stopped? The Gunners are destined to win the Premier League title — they sit atop the desk with a nine-point lead over Manchester Metropolis with seven video games remaining within the season. Mikel Arteta’s aspect cruised by way of the preliminary section of the Champions League with an ideal 8-0-0 report and remained undefeated after dispatching Bayer Leverkusen within the spherical of 16. Alongside the way in which, Arsenal has conceded solely 5 objectives throughout 10 Champions League matches, so that is their competitors to lose for the time being.
Spherical of 16: vs. Tottenham (7-5 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. FC Barcelona
Can Atletico sustain its torrid scoring tempo? Atletico scored a decent 17 objectives by way of eight video games throughout the first section of the match earlier than pouring it on of their two subsequent mixture collection. Los Colchoneros bagged seven objectives over two legs vs. Membership Brugge within the playoffs after which put the hammer down with one other seven-goal effort within the spherical of 16 vs. Tottenham.
Spherical of 16: vs. Atalanta (10-2 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: Actual Madrid
Will Alphonso Davies be prepared for Actual Madrid? The Canadian worldwide limped off the sector attributable to a non-contact harm within the first leg in opposition to Atalanta. Davies had solely just lately returned from a torn muscle fibre in his proper hamstring. The analysis by the crew’s medical employees suggests the injury isn’t that severe this time round, however given Davies’ current rash of accidents, Bayern is perhaps additional cautious and never danger it by taking part in him in opposition to Actual Madrid.
Spherical of 16: vs. Newcastle United (8-3 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Atletico Madrid
Can Barcelona preserve its momentum going? After a tightly contested 1-1 draw within the opening leg, Barcelona exploded for seven objectives within the return match in opposition to Newcastle, equalling a membership report for its greatest offensive output in a single match within the Champions League. Each Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace within the second leg in opposition to their English opponents in a positively good show at Camp Nou. Now the blaugrana look to duplicate that stupendous show in opposition to their La Liga rivals.
Spherical of 16: vs. Galatasaray (4-1 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Which Liverpool will present up vs. PSG? Liverpool regarded positively dishevelled within the first leg in opposition to Galatasaray, dropping a 1-0 resolution in Istanbul — and the injury might’ve been a lot worse if not for the Turks’ lack of ending. However the Reds turned it round within the second leg at Anfield, registering a complete 4-0 win. Liverpool will want a show much like the one within the return match in opposition to Galatasaray if it desires to have any hope of getting the higher of PSG.
Spherical of 16: vs. Chelsea (8-2 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Liverpool
Does Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have extra to present? The Georgia worldwide ran rampant in opposition to Chelsea with a brace within the opening match and one other aim within the second leg at Stamford Bridge. In whole, Kvaratskhelia has seven objectives and 4 assists in 11 Champions League appearances this season. It’s an incredible aim contributions report, one which the previous Napoli star will probably be eager to maintain going within the quarterfinals in opposition to Liverpool.
Spherical of 16: vs. FK Bodø/Glimt (5-3 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Arsenal
Can Sporting preserve it going? The Lisbon-based membership was the shock package deal of the preliminary section of the Champions League, profitable 5 of eight video games to assert one of many eight automated berths for the knockout spherical. Their goose seemed to be cooked after struggling a 3-0 loss in Norway within the first leg of the spherical of 16. However Sporting pulled off an incredible comeback, because of a 5-0 dwelling win within the return match.
Spherical of 16: vs. Manchester Metropolis (5-1 mixture win)
Quarterfinals: vs. Bayern Munich
Will Kylian Mbappé come good? The French ahead is the highest scorer on this season’s Champions League with a whopping 13 objectives. However all 13 of them got here throughout the preliminary section of the competitors. Mbappé has failed to attain in his final two outings, together with the second leg over Manchester Metropolis, whereas additionally lacking two video games attributable to harm — his final aim within the Champions League got here in January.
John Molinaro is likely one of the main soccer journalists in Canada, having coated the sport for over 27 years for a number of media shops, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports activities and Solar Media. He’s at present the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, an internet site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
