Actual Madrid should work arduous if they’re to retain their Champions League trophy this season.
After an underwhelming league section despatched them into the play-offs, many felt Madrid’s time within the competitors might have ended there, however now confidence is sky excessive following an emphatic victory over Manchester Metropolis.
After Friday’s final 16 draw, this is a take a look at Madrid’s path to the ultimate.
Issues do not get a lot simpler for Madrid, who’ve the small matter of two Madrid derbies to contest within the final 16.
Carlo Ancelotti’s facet will probably be at house for the primary leg in opposition to Atletico Madrid, who could have the benefit of a feverish Metropolitan crowd for the return fixture.
If Madrid make it out of the derby, they are going to probably stumble upon Arsenal, who’re heavy favourites to beat PSV Eindhoven of their final 16 tie.
With all of the switch hypothesis linking Gunners centre-back William Saliba with a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, the narrative for this one nearly writes itself.
One other English heavyweight might be mendacity in wait within the semi-finals. Liverpool are among the many favourites to win this whole event, however they are not the one risk on this facet of the bracket because the Reds have a final 16 tie in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain to sit up for.
Liverpool gained after they confronted Madrid within the group stage earlier within the season, however Madrid had the final snort when these two sides met within the 2017/18 and 2021/22 finals.
Membership Brugge and Aston Villa are additionally among the many attainable opponents.
There’s a mouthwatering chance that the Champions League remaining might play host to El Clasico, with Barcelona among the many favourites to emerge from a comparatively easy facet of the bracket which additionally consists of Bayern Munich.
Madrid could be out for revenge in opposition to Barcelona, who’ve humiliated them twice already this season. Ancelotti’s facet fell 4-0 in La Liga and 5-2 within the Supercopa de Espana remaining. They aren’t because of meet once more till Might 11, simply three weeks earlier than the ultimate of this competitors.
Whereas Barcelona and Bayern are the heavy favourites from this facet of the bracket, there are six groups seeking to trigger an upset: Feyenoord, Inter, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Benfica.
READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
