Champions League: Holders Chelsea to play Real Madrid in quarters
The Champions League 2021-22 quarter-finals will see holders Chelsea face Real Madrid in a crunch two-legged tie. Chelsea has overcome Lille in the round of 16 and will now need to beat 13-tie winners Real to make it to the semis. Notably, the draw for the semis is also out with the quarter-finalists knowing the path ahead.
A look at the quarter-final draw - Chelsea vs Real Madrid, Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid, Villarreal vs Bayern Munich, Benfica vs Liverpool Here's the semi-final draw - Manchester City or Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea or Real Madrid, Benfica or Liverpool vs Villarreal or Bayern Munich
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, who overcame Manchester United 2-1 on aggregate, face a stern test against Man City next. The Spanish league champions will face the Premier League winners. As per Opta, Atletico will be the first side to face both United and City in the knockout stages of a European competition in a season since Juventus in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup.
Villarreal, who stunned Juventus 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16, will face one of the favorites in Bayern Munich, who are unbeaten in the 2021-22 UCL season. Bayern go into the quarter-finals as favorites. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool face a tricky test versus Benfica, who ousted Ajax in the previous round. Bayern and Liverpool could face each other likely in the semis.
The quarter-finals are set! ✔️
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2022
What's your reaction to the draw?#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/Je3NQHabuy
As per Opta, Chelsea are unbeaten in their five encounters with Real Madrid in all competitions (W3 D2). No side has ever faced the Spanish giants more often in European competitions without losing. Liverpool have faced Benfica eight times previously in the European Cup/Champions League. Only against Chelsea (10) have Liverpool played more matches in the competition's history.
