The 2017 Champions League quarter-final draw is in and as expected has delivered some mouth-watering clashes for fans to salivate over. With three representatives from La Liga, two from the Bundesliga, and a team each from the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A still left in the competition here is an in-depth look ahead of the quarter-final ties in this season's Champions League.
Juventus vs. Barcelona
In a rematch of the 2015 Champions League final, Serie A champions Juventus will yet again face current La Liga champions Barcelona in what promises to be an intriguing tie.
Both teams won their Champions League groups without much issue, and although encounters between the pair in the past have tended to be tactical affairs, Juventus' style of play has considerably changed since the introduction of Gonzalo Higuain in the summer. Barcelona has had somewhat of a mixed season with manager Luis Enrique announcing recently that he will leave his role at the club at the end of the campaign. However, the Catalan giants have hit a decent run of form recently which seen them make one of the greatest comebacks in modern footballing history against Paris St.Germain in the last round of the competition in an 11-goal thriller.
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed he is "excited" after drawing former club Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Ancelotti led Real Madrid to Champions League glory in 2014 and will be eager to do the same with a strong Bayern Munich side. Real won the competition last year under Zinedine Zidane and will looking to become the first side in the tournament's history to lift the trophy in consecutive seasons.
Athletico Madrid vs Leicester
After edging past Europa League winners Sevilla in the last round, last year's surprise Premier League winners face another mountainous task if they are to keep their European fairytale alive. Athletico has reached two Champions League finals in the last three seasons, and although the controversial sacking of Claudio Ranieri seems to have improved the Foxes Premier League form, their domestic safety is still of concern.
Borussia Dortmund vs Monaco
This will probably be the least talked about the tie of the quarter-final draw. However, given both teams ability to go forward could prove to be the most entertaining. After a few lackluster seasons, Monaco now looks back to their best both domestically and in Europe and an impressive comeback display against Manchester City in the last round will do no damage to their confidence. Dortmund has been disappointing in the Bundesliga this year but have looked good in the Champions League and with players like Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at their disposal, could be a good underdog bet for the tournament.
