Champions League Quarter Final: Who’s in the draw

Barcelona

The Catalan Giants currently sit top of La Liga, 8 points clear of Atletico Madrid. The first knockout round saw them up against Lyon. By winning their group, Barca guaranteed the first leg would be away. However, Barcelona were unable to take advantage of the away goals rule, drawing 0-0. This left them needing to win by at least one goal if they are to progress. Barcelona cruised through the second leg, but at one point a comeback looked as though it may have been on the cards when they conceded, bringing the score to 2-1. They went on to score three more, putting the game beyond doubt. Barcelona are looking to progress to the semi-finals with the hope of going onto to win their 6^th title. As the last Spanish side, winning the tournament this year will come with the added bonus of winning it in Madrid.

Liverpool

The Reds are the most successful English side in Europe, winning 5 Champions Leagues and 3 Europa Leagues. 14 years on from their last European triumph, they have been to three finals, two in the Champions League, and have lost all three. Although they have three unsuccessful finals, Liverpool have had off the pitch issues, limiting their appearances in European football. Last years runners up, the Merseysiders seem to be on the up, appearing in successive seasons in the Champions League for the first time in 10 years. Drawing 0-0 at home in the first leg may seem like a poor result, but not conceding an away goal will be their advantage for the second leg. Liverpool took full advantage of the away goal rule. The game was in the balance at half time, but one Liverpool made it 2-1 on 69 minutes, the Bayern heads dropped. Liverpool will be hoping to reach their 9^th final and collect their 6^th title.

Juventus

The Old Lady overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate. The two time winners will be feeling that with Ronaldo leading the line, they will be well on their way to a third win. Even more impressively, Ronaldo will be hoping to keep his streak going having won the last three finals with Real Madrid and taking his tally to 6 winners medals. Juventus have been to a staggering nine finals but have lost seven of these. Juve will certainly feel like they are the team to beat and will happily welcome anyone to Turin.

Manchester City

Relatively new comers to the competition, Manchester City have reached one semi-final but are yet to go further. With the acquisition of Guardiola, the Sky Blues are hoping to lift the trophy for the first time, whilst Pep will win his coveted third win as a manager. Following on from a record-breaking league campaign, their attempts to claim dominance over English football is currently being kept in check by Liverpool. The Red knocked them out of last years quarter finals, winning both ties, 3-0 and 2-1. Perhaps this would be the tie everyone would like to see again but I’m sure City may prefer somebody else.

FC Porto

The Portuguese champions will be please to make through the round of 16 after last season’s home leg defeat of 5-0. Porto progress this year after knocking out Roma, one of last season’s semi-finalists. Porto have twice lifted the famous trophy, their last victory coming in 2004 under a relatively unknown Jose Mourinho. Porto are definitely not a team to be underestimated and will be up for the fight. With a semi-final up for grabs, they certainly will not be bowled over easily.

Manchester United

The Red Devils appeared down and out after losing their first leg to PSG. However, poor mistakes from the French defence, including a dropped ball from veteran goalkeeper Buffon, PSG lost the tie on away goals (3-3 on aggregate). Led by a manager who knows a thing or two about winning games from behind, Solskjaer has reinvigorated this United side that were stalling under Mourinho. This is the first time the have reached the quarter finals of the Champions League since Ferguson retired. Having won their third title in 2008, United fans will surely be drooling at the chance to go one behind Liverpool, their oldest rivals.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs breezed for their last 16 match beating Borussia Dortmund 4-0 on aggregate. Dortmund were starting to run away with the Bundesliga when they arrived at Wembley in February. A brilliant left-wing back performance from Vertonghen helped the Lilywhites take a 3-0 advantage into the second leg. They settled the tie when Harry Kane scored just after halftime. This is the first time Spurs have reached the quarter finals since Harry Redknapp was in charge and Gareth Bale led the line. Can Spurs win a European Cup before their bitter rivals, Arsenal? I’m sure they will be believing so.

Ajax

From the Netherlands, the country accredited with creating total football in the 1970s, Ajax have headed to European glory four times. Led by Cruyff, Ajax became the first team since Real Madrid, who won the first five tournaments, to win three on the run. However, the talent produced in the Netherlands began attracting the attention of foreign clubs. Ajax and other Dutch sides were still able to compete but struggled with winning the cup. This fortune changed for Ajax. In the 1995 final, Milan were the opposition in Vienna. The game was tied until Kluivert scored in the 85^th minute. This season’s achievement of knocking out the reigning champions, Ajax have made it through a knockout round for the first time in 22 years. This feat will allow Ajax to feel free as nobody will have expected them to knock Real Madrid out and as they’ve already made it further than any season since 1997, this years tournament will undoubtedly be viewed as successful.