We are days away from knowing the final four clubs of the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League season.
[ VOTE: What discipline with De Jong face for Nagbe tackle? ]
There’s at least one upset brewing, depending on who you view as favorites. Real Madrid trails Wolfsburg after a shocking first leg, while Manchester City is well positioned to advance to the semis.
Real Madrid vs. Wolfsburg -- 2:45 p.m. ET Tuesday
First leg: Wolfsburg 2-0 Real
If you don’t see the potential for Real’s talent, coaching and maybe even a little home officiating, then perhaps you are rooting too hard for an upset. Wolfsburg’s best bet is to pick up a goal, because it’s difficult to imagine Real not finding two or more goals at the Bernabeu. That said, both Julian Draxler and Andre Schurrle are among potent attacking threats on the visitors.
Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain -- 2:45 p.m. ET Tuesday
First leg: PSG 2-2 Man City
City won’t have Vincent Kompany nor Raheem Sterling for PSG’s visit, but looked pretty strong in the road leg as well as the weekend’s win over West Bromwich Albion. This is City’s first UCL quarter, could they be en route to a first semi? Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company will be happy to ruin those hopes after a 2-0 weekend road win at Guingamp.
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 06: Joe Hart of Manchester City saves the penalty by Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes on April 6, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Benfica vs. Bayern Munich -- 2:45 p.m. ET Wednesday
First leg: Bayern 1-0 Benfica
The failure to pick up a road goal feels likely to doom the Portuguese powers, as Pep Guardiola seems destined to lead Bayern into the semis in his farewell UCL voyage with the German side. That said, Benfica has attacking talents like Nicolas Gaitan who could provide a win... but can it be multi-goal, against Manuel Neuer? That’s a tall ask.
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona -- 2:45 p.m. ET Wednesday
First leg: Barca 2-1 Atleti
All it takes to ruin Barca’s bid for a repeat UCL title is a 1-0 for Atleti at the Vicente Calderon. That, of course, means Jan Oblak again starring against Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. This should be a beauty in Madrid.