Now we’re getting to crunch time. This is the Quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Just five games separate one of these eight teams from immortality. The first two games will take place on Tuesday while the other two take place Wednesday. There is some great matchups taking place this round. This is what’s happening Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid – Estadio Vicente Calderon – FOX Sports 1
The Madrid Derby is arguably the best matchup of the four. Like any derby, this is going to be intense and physical. Recently, Atletico has had the most success between the two teams. Since Real’s win against Atletico in the Champions League Final, Atletico has gone 4-0-2 so it would make sense to say that Atletico would have the edge.
While Atletico has had the best head-to-head record over the past year, Real Madrid has had the most success overall. Real won the Champions League and are now in 2nd to Barcelona for this year’s La Liga title.
As far as injuries go, Sami Khedira and Fabio Contreao look like they’re going to be out for Real while Raul Garcia is out for Atletico. The game should be filled with instantaneous drama since both teams will already know each other by playing each other so many times. I can see Atletico winning this first leg at home but Real will get the away goal and go into the second leg with Atletico 2-1 up.
Juventus vs. Monaco – Juventus Stadium – FOX Sports 2
This game doesn’t have the history as Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid, but that doesn’t mean this game will be any less exciting. Juventus and Monaco are both facing rough stretches recently. Juventus lost to potentially dissolved Parma this past weekend while Monaco has been winless in two of their past three Ligue 1 games.
Juventus is really hurting with injuries. Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo is going to be out and that will certainly hurt their chances against Monaco, who is going to be missing Alain Traore, Ricardo Carvalho and Jeremy Toulalan.
This is going to be a tough series to predict. Both teams have a legitimate chance to win and advance. While Juventus has the advantage in the first leg, playing in Italy, I think Monaco can survive Juventus and go back to Monaco with a 1-0 advantage.
