Now that FC Barcelona has advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals, let´s take a look at the four matchups we have ahead of us along with my predictions for the semifinals.
FC Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund
These two met in December, with Barca coming out on top 3-2 in Dortmund behind 2 late goals from “El Tiburon” Ferran Torres, however both teams are in a different place now.
Barca haven´t lost a match in 2025, are leading La Liga, and are in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Wojciech Szczesny has assumed the No 1 role in goal and the front line of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Lamal are destroying teams with 23 goals between them in the Champions League.
Dortmund on the other hand have won just 6 of 17 matches in 2025 (3 in the Champions League) and currently sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga. They came from behind to squeeze by Lille 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) on goals from Emre Can and Maximillian Beier, but they still head into the quarterfinals as the returning finalist with a rich history in the competition.
Prediction
1st Leg-FC Barcelona 3-Borussia Dortmund 1
2nd Leg Borussia Dortmund 1-FC Barcelona 2
Barca advance 5-2 on aggregate
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Inter and Bayern have a limited, but storied history facing each other in the Champions League. Inter defeated the Germans 2-0 in the 2010 final and the very next year eliminated them on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate finish. Since then, it´s been all Bayern as they defeated Inter 2-0 twice in the 2022/2023 group stages.
Inter come in as the Serie A leaders, having won 6 of their last 8 matches and have only dropped 3 in 2025. Marcus Thuram (13 goals) and Lautaro Martinez (10 goals) form a dangerous front line and Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella head a strong midfield.
Bayern come in as comfortable Bundesliga leaders and a wealth of attacking options, led by killer Harry Kane (21 goals), Jamal Musaila (11 goals), and Michael Olise (7 assists). Throw Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane in the mix and you´re looking at possibly one of Europe´s most talented teams.
Prediction
1st Leg-Bayern Munich 2-Inter Milan 1
2nd Leg-Inter Milan 1-Bayern Munich 1
Bayern Munich advance 3-2 on aggregate
PSG v Aston Villa
These two have never faced each other and Aston Villa, who defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 in the 1982 final, is into the quarterfinals for the first time since 1983.
PSG is arguably one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, having eliminated Liverpool on penalties, and have lost just one match since November 26th. Coach Luis Enrique has adapted to post-Mbappe life quite well, re-transforming Ousmane Dembele (20 goals) into his pre-FC Barcelona self. Two exciting youngsters are making huge waves in Bradley Barcola (13 goals, 7 assists) and Warren Zaire-Emery, but it´s the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma who make this team difficult to beat.
Villa is living off a great January transfer window with former PSG player Marco Asensio scoring 5 goals in 3 matches and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford making a huge impact. Don´t forget coach Unai Emory once won 6 trophies at PSG and has won a record 4 Europa League titles, including 3 straight with Sevilla.
Prediction
1st Leg-PSG 2-Aston Villa 0
2nd Leg-Aston Villa 1-PSG 2
PSG advance 4-1 on aggregate
Real Madrid v Arsenal
It´s hard to believe these 2 world-class clubs have only crossed paths one time in the Champions League, a Round of 16 tie in 2005/2006 that Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate, but this will be the most interesting matchup of the quarterfinals.
Arsenal is dealing with a host of injuries with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus done for the season and Bukayo Saka still recovering from a hamstring injury that required surgery and has kept him out since December. Saka should return for the 1st leg, however in what form is the question? Meanwhile Arsenal have managed quite well, currently sitting 2nd in the Premier League and coming off a 9-3 destruction of PSV Eindhoven that put them through to the quarterfinals.
Madrid, well they are Madrid, and in the Champions League you can´t help but know they will find a way. Just ask Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, or any other side in the past 5 seasons that thought they deserved to beat the returning champions. But they didn´t. Madrid has won 15 of these things, including 2 of the past 3, and you just have to believe they somehow defeat Arsenal and move onto the semifinals.
Prediction
1st Leg-Arsenal 2-Real Madrid 0
2nd Leg-Real Madrid 2-Arsenal 0
Real Madrid advance on penalties