The draw has been made for the quarterfinals of the 2017-18 Champions League. Liverpool vs. Manchester City is the top tie, but who else was paired?
There are eight teams left standing in the 2017-18 Champions League, and the draw took place Friday to see how they’ll be paired in the quarterfinals.
The most exciting tie of the round was the final one to be drawn: Liverpool vs. Manchester City. This is the first time two English sides have made this stage since 2013-14. One will obviously go out, but this tie does at least mean there will be a representative from England in the semifinals.
Jurgen Klopp should probably have expected this tie; six of Liverpool’s last nine Champions League ties from the quarterfinals onwards (including this one) have been against English teams. The Reds have defeated City in their two previous two-legged cup ties, though League Cup wins in 1981 and 2012 will have little relevance next month.
The first tie out of the hat was Barcelona vs. Roma. The sides have played each other four times in the past, with one win apiece and two draws. However, this is the first time they’ve met in the knock-out stages. Roma will hope there is no repeat of the 6-1 defeat they suffered at the Camp Nou in the 2015-16 group stage.
Along with Roma, the other outsiders for the tournament are Sevilla. The Spanish side’s chances won’t have improved after they were drawn to play Bayern Munich. The two clubs have never previously met, but the German champions will be strong favorites to reach the last four.
The tie featuring the most familiar Champions League foes is Juventus vs. Real Madrid. They’ve met 19 times down the years, most recently in last season’s final. They last met at this stage in 1995-96. Juventus went through on their way to lifting the trophy that year, so the Italians will hope the omens are on their side.
Next: Champions League quarterfinal power rankings
Prior to the draw, Manchester City were the bookmakers’ favorites, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The main movers after the draw was made were Bayern Munich. The German giants shortened to third in the betting ahead of Real Madrid, as they will surely defeat Sevilla and advance to the semifinals.
The first legs are on Tuesday, April 3 and Wednesday April 4, with the return matches the following week. There will be interest in all of the European ties, but the most intriguing one will take place entirely in the north west of England.