Europe Champions League Quarterfinals - 2nd Leg

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Borussia Dortmund vs. Atletico Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can, Brandt; Sancho, Fullkrug, Malen

Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Azpilicueta; Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata

Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid will try to secure a ticket for the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night. The Spanish outfit won 2:1 at Civitas Metropolitano (previously Wanda Metropolitano), but one-goal advantage guarantee nothing. Diego Simeone's side made a furious start and Rodrigo de Paul put them in front in the fourth minute after big mistake by Ian Maatsen. Atletico doubled the lead after another defensive mix-up allowed wing-back Samuel Lino to collect Antoine Griezmann's scooped pass and calmly scored for 2:0. Dortmund looked close to the elimination, but substitute Sebastien Haller managed to score in the 81st minute to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Borussia Dortmund need a victory here. A narrow win will mean extra time and maybe penalties, a higher win would see them in the semi-final. The fans are optimists, but it won't be easy. Dortmund have not reached the semi-finals of the Champions League since 2012-13 season. For those who forget, BVB coached by Klopp's was ultimately beaten 2:1 by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in the final. The warming-up was successful, they beat 2:1 Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. Edin Terzic's side are fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Leipzig. The hosts have some injury worries ahead of this match. Jadon Sancho missed the Saturday's game due to illness and he is rated as doubtful. Haller picked up a knock against Gladbach and he is doubtful too, while Ramy Bensebaini is absent due to a knee problem.

Atletico Madrid had 2:0 until the 81st minute and everything looked perfect for them. However, they conceded a late goal and now travel to Germany knowing they have to remain unbeaten to secure semi-finals. On Saturday they won 3:1 against high-flying Girona and remain fourth on the table, five points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Simeone's side have not reached the semi-finals in CHL since 2016-17 season. The Argentinian coach has some injury issues ahead of this match. Memphis Depay is absent with a muscular injury, while Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo are also unavailable for selection. Saul Niguez is also a doubt , having been replaced in the finish of the first half against Girona. On the positive note, Mario Hermoso is ready for selection after recovering from injury and played against Girona on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Atletico Madrid Prediction:

I expect an interesting match in Dortmund as both teams have chances for the semi-finals. However, I think Atletico Madrid will remain unbeaten at Signal-Iduna-Park. Dortmund players will have big support from their fans, but that should not be enough. Simeone is more experienced coach compared with Terzic. Furthermore, Atletico have player able to make a difference - Antoine Griezmann..

Borussia Dortmund vs. Atletico Madrid Pick: Atletico Madrid +0.5 AH @ 1.71 with Pinnacle

 

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Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Barcelona:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, F de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe

Barcelona will try to secure the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19 season. The Catalans did a majority of the job in the first leg when they beat 3:2 the French champions Paris Saint-Germain as guests last week. Raphinha gave them the lead, sweeping home a loose ball for his first Champions League goal. That was the result after the first 45 minutes. PSG responded immediately after the break as the former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele scored in the 48th minute and Vitinha two minutes later. The Parisians had an opportunity for the third goal, but substitute Bradley Barcola hit the bar. And that was all PSG were able to create. From that moment Barca took a full control of the match and scored twice in the finish thanks to Raphinha and Andreas Christensen. The final result was 3:2 for Barcelona and home fans left the stadium disappointed.

The second leg takes place in Spain and Barcelona will have a big support from their faithful. The match against Cadiz was very tough, but Barcelona managed to collect three points thanks to a lone goal scored by Joao Felix. One thing is clear - they played much better since Xavi announced that he would resign as head coach this summer. The Catalans are unbeaten on the last 13 matches across all competitions, recording 10 victories and three draws in the process. But Xavi has some injury and suspension worries ahead of this match. Gavi and Alejandro Balde remain sidelined due to long-term injuries, while Christensen and Sergi Roberto are banned due to accumulated yellow cards. The squad will be boosted by the returns of Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski, who were all suspended against Cadiz in La Liga.

Paris Saint-Germain lost the most important match this season. The Arab owners invested enormous money, brought top players and they are no more satisfied with domestic titles. They want the Champions League trophy, nothing less. PSG are leaders in Ligue 1 with big advantage, though coach Luis Enrique is under big pressure after the home defeat. The Spaniard knows how important this match is. A possible elimination could provoke Enrique change. But PSG players will not give up easily. They were able to rest for the weekend and I believe this fact should not be underestimated. Enrique has four injury worries ahead of this match. Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa and Sergio Rico are definitely sidelined, while Nordi Mukiele is rated as doubtful. He will be assessed on Tuesday due to a head injury. Achraf Hakimi has served his suspension and will be back in the team.

Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain Prediction:

I expect an open and efficient match here. Barcelona will attack despite the fact they won in France. Simply, Barca don't know to play different. PSG, meanwhile, lost at home and now need to win to keep their semi-finals' hopes alive. The guests will not calculate, I expect an open approach from their side, too. PSG have good players and their motivation is big. Mbappe has already scored four goals against Barcelona in the Champions League. I expect to find the back of the net again. At least four goals should be scored overall.

Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.16 with Everygame

 

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Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Guerreiro; Laimer, Goretzka; Muller, Musiala, Sane; Kane

Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Bayern Munich will welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. The first leg battle at the Emirates finished with a 2:2 draw. Mikel Arteta's men were better, but failed to win due to some uncharacteristic mistakes. Arsenal made the perfect start when Bukayo Saka's low finish put them ahead after only 12 minutes. However, Bayern managed to equalize just six minutes later through the former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry. The Bavarians turned out the result completely after 32 minutes when Harry Kane converted a penalty after William Saliba tripped Leroy Sane. It was his 15th goal in 20 appearances against Arsenal. The Gunners were not at their best in the second half, but substitute Leandro Trossard found the back of the net in the 76th minute.

Bayern won 2:0 against FC Koln during the weekend, but lost the title. Bayer Leverusen also won on Sunday and that means Bayern's 11-year reign of supremacy in the Bundesliga is now history. Knowing they are out of the cup, the Champions League is the only remaining chance for silverware. But Tuchel has some issues ahead of this match. He will definitely be without regular left-back Alphonso Davies due to suspension. The Canadian has accumulated yellow cards and his absence is a huge handicap. Three players are injured - Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman will probably not play due to hamstring and groin problem respectively, while Sane is rated as doubtful due to a knock. Sacha Boey, Bouna Sarr, Tarek Buchmann and Gabriel Marusic remain long-term absentees. Experienced goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was rested against Koln as a precaution, should be fine to start here.

Arsenal failed to win their two most important games of the season. The draw with Bayern could somehow be swallowed as they are still in position to reach the semifinals, but the defeat to Aston Villa could cost them the title. After failing to capitalize their first-half dominance against the Villans, Arsenal conceded two late goals and lost the match. Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins's strikes were very important for Unai Emery, who want to show his former employers how big mistake they did when sacked him. Arsenal trail Manchester City by two points following their first Premier League loss of 2024. Arteta has the majority of his players available, but captain Martin Odegaard is rated as doubtful. He couldn't complete the full 90 minutes against Villa on Sunday due to a chest injury and the medical team will have the last word. Jurrien Timber remain long-term absentee with ACL injury.

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal Preview:

I think Bayern Munich are closer to the victory. First of all, they are hosts and they will have a big support from their fans. Arsenal players are very good, but most of them are young. The defeat to Sporting in Lisboa was mostly because of that. But there is more - the Sunday's defeat to Aston Villa will definitely impact the atmosphere in the squad. The players confidence isn't at desired level at the moment. Bayern could take advantage from Arsenal issues. Arteta is a good coach, but he is yet to win a major trophy. Don't forget Tuchel has lifted the Champions League trophy in 2020-21 season.

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal Pick: Bayern Munich to win @ 2.32 with Pinnacle