Bayern to face Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-finals

Having beaten Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate in the Champions League round of 16, Bayern will now face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals on the road to Budapest. The Spanish side claimed a 5-1 aggregate victory in their tie with Manchester City. The first leg in Madrid will be on 7/8 April, with the return at the Allianz Arena on 14/15 April. UEFA are set to announce the exact dates and timings on Thursday.

Real’s route to the quarters

Real Madrid claimed wins in both legs of their round of 16 tie against Manchester City. | © Imago

The conclusion to Los Blancos’ league phase was filled with thrills until the end, as a goal in added time from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin gave the Portuguese side a 4-2 win and knocked Real down from third to ninth in the table. It meant Álvaro Arbeloa’s side had to contest the play-offs, where they were again paired with Benfica for a dramatic rematch. With Vinícius Júnior scoring in both the 1-0 win in Lisbon and the 2-1 victory back at home, the 15-time European champions advanced to the round of 16, where a Fede Valverde hat-trick at the Bernabéu set up comfortable progress past Manchester City, also winning the second leg in England 2-1.

Latest chapter in historic fixture

Bayern want to make up for their painful semi-final elimination in 2023/24.

No fixture has been played as often in the Champions League/European Cup as Bayern against Real. They have faced each other 28 times before, with the head-to-head dead equal at 12 wins each. The most recent in May 2024 certainly left a sour taste in Bayern mouths. After a 2-2 draw in Munich, the game in Madrid produced late drama with two Real goals in the closing minutes and a questionable refereeing call that denied the Reds the chance to level the tie and potentially reach the final at Wembley. After going out in the last four ties with Los Blancos, Vincent Kompany’s men now have an opportunity to set the record straight.

What’s after Real?

Should Bayern do just that and progress to the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the quarter-final tie between holders Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. The other side of the draw sees either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon take on Barcelona or Atlético Madrid. The final in Budapest is on 30 May.