Champions League draw: Ranking the four quarterfinal matchups

The draw for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and semifinals took place on Friday, March 18. Here’s how the matchups stack up. 

Everyone is looking over their brackets after the start of March Madness, but there’s another tournament that took place on Friday following the Champions League quarterfinal draw.

The draw resulted in four tasty matchups and set up the bracket for the semifinals and final, which will be played on May 28 at the Stade de France in suburban Paris. The final had originally been scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg, but UEFA moved the game following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month.

The eight remaining teams hail from England (Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool), Spain (Real Madrid, Villareal Atletico Madrid) and Portugal (Benfica) and Germany (Bayern Munich).

After the bracket was formulated, Champions League semifinal draw looks like this: Manchester City or Atletico Madrid vs. Chelsea or Real Madrid and Liverpool or Benfica vs. Villarreal or Bayern Munich.

The quarterfinals will be contested over two legs (April 5-6 and April 12-13). The semifinals will also be played over two legs (April 26-27) and (May 3-4).

Here’s a look at the Champions League four matchups and how they rank

1.Chelsea vs. Real Madrid 

It’s the matchup that pits the defending UCL champions (Chelsea) against the team most likely to win it after dumping PSG out of the round of 16 (Real Madrid). This should be a battle for the ages, an instant classic, as Real striker Karim Benzema looks to be the hero once again. Chelsea, meanwhile, have Romelu Lukaku to bag their goals, but strong defending could be what ultimately wins this matchup for either team.

2. Manchester City vs. Atletico Madrid 

Pep Guardiola’s Man City have the talent to win this entire competition but have endured futility in recent years. That streak could continue given Atleti’s penchant for upsets in this competition. It’s a wonderful matchup and one where manager Diego Simeone’s side pulls off another upset. The one thing hindering that will be Riyad Mahrez, the Manchester City winger who is having a great season.

3. Benfica vs. Liverpool 

This is a great matchup given Liverpool’s great run of form in recent weeks. The Reds know what it takes to win at this point of the competition, but Benfica, a storied club from Portugal, will be looking to pull an upset. if they do, it would upset the European club order and add even more drama and excitement to what has been a great tournament so far this season.

4. Villareal vs. Bayern Munich 

Bracket-busting isn’t a term associated with soccer, but that could be what the tiny Spanish club could do here after eliminating Juventus in the previous round. Of course, Bayern are a powerhouse and, along with Real, heavy favorites to lift the trophy come May given Robert Lewandowski’s ability to shred opposing backlines. Nonetheless, neutrals will be hoping for a tight home-and-away series.