Can Real Madrid and Bayern Munich Overturn the Deficit?
Champions League Quarterfinals: Second leg offers intriguing possibilities
The UEFA Champions League 2025 quarterfinals tonight will have Real Madrid hosting Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Inter Milan will play Bayern Munich at San Siro.
In the first leg, Arsenal blasted 3-0 Madrid. In the event, the 15-time European champions Madrid faces a monumental task as it has to overturn the 3-0 deficit. Arsenal delivered a masterclass at the Emirates Stadium last week, with Declan Rice scoring two stunning free-kicks and Mikel Merino adding a third. Madrid will need to summon its famous 'remontada' spirit to stay alive in the competition.
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior will lead the Madrid attack, while Jude Bellingham must control the midfield. Thibaut Courtois returns in goal, adding stability to the defence. Declan Rice, fresh off his first-leg heroics, will be pivotal in Arsenal midfield. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino will look to dictate the tempo and create scoring opportunities.
Also Read: Champions League Quarterfinals: Inter wins in Munich, Arsenal decimates Real Madrid
Madrid's home form in the Champions League is formidable, but Arsenal's unbeaten run in UEFA competitions this season makes it a tough opponent.
In the Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich contest, Milan holds a slender advantage after its disciplined performance in Munich, where it won 2-1.
Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring for Inter Milan in the 38th minute with a brilliant finish, assisted by Marcus Thuram's clever back-heel. Bayern Munich dominated possession early on, with Harry Kane hitting the post in the 26th minute and Michael Olise forcing multiple saves from Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Thomas Müller equalised for Bayern in the 85th minute, coming off the bench to prod home a cross from Konrad Laimer. Davide Frattesi scored the winning goal for Inter Milan in the 88th minute, converting a low cross from Carlos Augusto.
That result ended Bayern Munich's 22-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League, a streak dating back to 2021.
So, Inter Milan holds a slender advantage heading into the second leg at San Siro, with a strong chance of progressing to the semifinals. Bayern Munich will need to step up its attacking game to overturn the deficit and keep its Champions League hopes alive.
The winners of these two matches will join PSG and Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Also Read: Champions League Quarterfinals: Inter wins in Munich, Arsenal decimates Real Madrid
