Agence France-Presse (AFP)In the UEFA Champions League, defending champions Chelsea will face off against Real Madrid, the draws for which were announced on Friday.
While Manchester City will take on Atletico Madrid, troubled holders Chelsea were drawn against 13-time winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday. As all three remaining English clubs were kept apart and Bayern Munich were paired with Spanish side Villarreal, Liverpool were drawn to play Benfica.
Despite turmoil at the Stamford Bridge Club, who were put up for sale after the British government placed Russian owner Roman Abramovich under sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea are hoping to defend their title in Europe.
In the first leg on April 5 or 6, before the return at the Santiago Bernabeu a week later, Thomas Tuchel’s team are due to play Real at home. According to reports, due to EU sanctions on Abramovich that prevent them from selling tickets, Chelsea may have to play their next Champions League home ties behind closed doors.
Chelsea and City know they will meet each other in the last four should they both progress through their quarter-final ties against Spanish opponents, but a Madrid derby at that stage is also a possibility with the draw for the semi-finals taking place at the same time.
Atletico will return to North England for the first leg of their tie against City, which sees Guardiola pit his wits against Diego Simeone after having eliminated Manchester United in the last 16.
With the first leg of that tie to be played in Lisbon, Liverpool, the 2019 European Champions who are still in contention to win a quadruple season, will be hotly fancied to get the better of two-time European Cup Winners, Benfica.
Published By : Ankit Singh
Edited By : Khushi Thakur
