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On Tuesday, the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal battles kick off. Today, four teams will try to take the first steps towards the semifinals.
All football fans' attention will be focused on two matches. "Manchester United" will face Munich's "Bayern" and "Barcelona" will clash with Madrid's "Atletico" players.
"Manchester United" - Munich's "Bayern"
This season, Munich's "Bayern" eleven, who have been throwing their opponents down from under their feet after the draw ceremony, were not disappointed. However, their opponents were hoping for a slightly weaker team. The first clash will take place at "Old Trafford," where the "Manchester United" club will try to resist Pep Guardiola's army.
In the Champions League round of 16, "Man Utd" fought against Piraeus' "Olympiacos." In Greece, the "Red Devils" lost 2-0, but managed to bounce back at their stadium and advanced to the quarterfinals with an aggregate score of 2-3. Meanwhile, the Bavarians fought with London's "Arsenal" in the previous stage, eliminating them with an aggregate score of 3-1.
In the latest match in the English Premier League, David Moyes' team performed excellently. After quickly conceding a goal to their opponents, "Man Utd" players crushed "Aston Villa" with a score of 4-1. Wayne Rooney scored two goals for the winners, while Juan Mata and Javier Hernandez scored one each. The English champions are still in seventh place in the Premier League.
In the German Bundesliga championship, the "Bayern" players, who have already secured the title of champions, unexpectedly played a 3-3 draw with "Hoffenheim" in front of their home crowd last weekend. Xherdan Shaqiri and Claudio Pizarro, who defeated the opponents' goalkeeper twice, stood out among the Bavarians.
Manchester's team will be without one of their leaders, Robin van Persie, who got injured in the crucial Champions League round of 16 match. Additionally, Chris Smalling, Rafael, and Antonio Valencia will not be available for the hosts. There are fewer absences in the Bayern lineup, and only Thiago won't play against "United."
"Barcelona" - Madrid's "Atletico"
The Champions League draw brought together two Spanish teams in the quarterfinals, which are still competing against each other for the Primera champion title. Diego Simeone's team was fortunate that the return leg and decisive match will take place not at the "Camp Nou" stadium, but in Madrid.
In the round of 16, the "Barcelona" team faced a tough challenge - a match against "Manchester City." The Spaniards played excellently in the first leg and advanced to the next stage with an aggregate score of 4-1, although it was not an easy task for the Catalans against the "citizens."
It was easier for Madrid's "Atletico" team to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals, facing the "Milan" club, which is showing poor form this season. The "Rojiblancos" celebrated a narrow victory in Milan, and defeated Clarence Seedorf's players at home with a score of 4-1.
In the city derby on Saturday, Gerardo Martino's trained Catalans had a hard time. "Barca" won three points against "Espanyol" only after Lionel Messi's converted penalty kick, and they remain in second place in the Spanish league, trailing the leader by just one point.
It was not an easy task for "Atletico" club in the Primera championship either. The Copa del Rey champions defeated Bilbao's "Athletic" players 2-1 and maintained their position as leaders in Spain, where a three-way battle for the champion title is taking place.
The "Barcelona" team has only one setback before these matches - the injury of Victor Valdes. The goalkeeper suffered a severe knee injury last week and will be out of action for 7 months, meaning Manuel Pinto will guard the goal. In Madrid's squad, Javier Manquillo and suspended forward Raul Garcia will be absent.
