March 17 – Manchester City’s quest for a first ever Champions League trophy has been made all the harder with the toughest possible draw in the quarterfinals.
City were drawn today to play six-time winners Bayern Munich, the dream final for many observers, while holders Real Madrid were paired with Chelsea.
Inter Milan face Benfica and Serie A champions AC Milan take on current leaders Napoli in an all-Italian quarterfinal.
City put seven past another German opponent RB Leipzig in the last-16 but Bundesliga champions Bayern have a rich history in the tournament and proved their pedigree by knocking out Paris St-Germain.
It is the third successive season Chelsea and Real Madrid, the record 14-time winners, have met in the competition. Chelsea beat Real in the semi-finals on their way to winning the trophy in 2020-21 before losing 5-4 on aggregate to the Spanish giants last season in the quarters.
If Chelsea and City get through, they will meet in an all-Premier League semi-final while AC Milan or Napoli will face Inter Milan or Benfica in the other semi-final.
The first legs of the quarter-finals take place on 11-12 April, with the return games on 18-19 April.
The first legs of the semi-finals will be on 9-10 May, and the second legs on 16-17 May. The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, will host the final on 10 June.
Champions League quarter-final draw
Real Madrid v Chelsea
Inter Milan v Benfica
Manchester City v Bayern Munich
AC Milan v Napoli
Champions League semi-final draw
AC Milan or Napoli v Benfica or Inter Milan
Real Madrid or Chelsea v Manchester City or Bayern Munich
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