“Bellingham is the central figure of Real” and City “depends more on Foden than on Haaland”: who is the real big favorite in this Champions League | ANALYSIS

Two weeks of definition in the Champions League. The quarterfinals of the European tournament are being played with Manchester City against Real Madrid as the big match of this phase. They face each other for the third consecutive season in a direct elimination phase.

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich.

An even crossing, not so much because of the history in Europe but because of the present of both. Arsenal are in great shape and have managed to join Liverpool and Manchester City in the dispute for the Premier League, where last week they managed to snatch a draw from the citizens at the Etihad. Bayern, on the other hand, has just lost to Dortmund by an unappealable 2-0 and, therefore, has given up its lead against Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen. As if that were not enough, the first match will have the Germans deprived of Neuer, Sané, Coman and Mazraoui due to injuries; although the presence of Kane, a former Spurs figure, adds morbidity to the versus. The question, then, is whether the Gunners will be able to withstand the pressure of fighting for both crowns at the same time and, also, whether the Munich team will concentrate on Europe having already lost hope in the domestic league.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City.

Last year’s semi-final is reissued, one in which Guardiola’s team crushed the Madridistas 4-0. The reality today is not very different from that of then for the English, for many the best team in the world, but it is for Madrid: this season Bellingham is the central figure of a club that comfortably leads La Liga and that performs in Europe without breaking a sweat. He is accompanied by Vinicius and Rodrygo, more established despite their youth, based on a Rudiger who little by little is feeling the gravity of the position and the shirt. Guardiola will have to look for a great version of his team, which by the way today depends more on Fodden than on Haaland – insecure since he returned from his injury -, to be able to overcome the only shield for which winning the Champions League is the normal.

PSG vs Barcelona.

A European classic in every sense, although none of them are going through their best moment. The reason is that both are teams in transition: the Catalans in search of life after Xavi (and after Messi, too, since they have not yet recovered from the Argentine’s departure); the French in early mourning for the imminent departure of Mbappé. What will be seen then is which of the two has the most advanced process. Barza is capable of the best when Gundogan finds Yamal, or the worst, like losing to the Belgian Antwerp. Luis Enrique, for his part, has not managed to get Parisians to overcome the usual French cyclothymia. Many goals are expected.

Atlético de Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Simeone’s tactical toughness will clash with Terzic’s possession game. It’s an interesting combination of styles. While Atleti is stingy and depends on the forcefulness of Griezmann, Depay and Morata; The Germans have a very varied squad that has the solvency of Hummels and Can, who are accompanied in the sweet spot by Brandt or Ryerson, pushed by the youth of Adeyemi. While the Spanish have the security of a coach who leads their colors in his thirteenth season; The Germans are still trying to find out if Terzic will finally make them forget Klopp.