Champions League: Real Madrid target comeback, Inter host Bayern

A week is a long time in football they say; as such, Real Madrid will be hoping that they and their tormentors from last week, Arsenal, will have contrasting fortunes tonight when they face off in the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

When the quarterfinal draw was held and it turned out the two sides would be meeting, most believed that Real, who have the most Champions League titles (15), would brush aside and Arsenal side that has yet to ever win the competition, and has suffered injuries to key players this term.

As such, a convincing 3-0 win to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last week was a shock to many and still is.

Expectation is that Madrid will launch a comeback of epic proportions tonight and usurp the Gunners to the right to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Semifinals.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is confident of a better display than was witnessed last time out.

"We have the quality to turn this tie around, along with the commitment, the experience, and the fans," said the Italian during his pre-match presser.

"The resources are there, and now it's time to bring our best."

"Mentally, we're doing very well, and we have to have good control of the game. The Santiago Bernabeu has magic, and everyone knows it's a special atmosphere," he added.

Last time Madrid hosted the Gunners was in the 2005/6 season where Arsenal pulled off a 1-0 win thanks to Thierry Henry's goal and they are looking to achieve the same success this time round.

"We are here to win. It's not in our plan to come here and just defend. A win is our target, and we will go for it," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said of the clash.

Kick off will be at 10 pm local time.

In Milan, hosts Inter carry a 2-1 lead over Bayern Munich from the first leg at the Allianz Arena.

The impressive win recorded by the Italians will however not be a catalyst for overconfidence according to head coach Simone Inzaghi.

"Bayern have proved in the past on a number of occasions that they are capable of winning in any stadium in Europe, so we have to be at our best tonight," he stated, saying his side will go for a win to see them into a potential semi-final against FC Barcelona.

"We know very well their players and their capabilities."

The last six meetings between Internazionale and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League have seen both sides win three times each, while only one of those six victories has been achieved by the team playing at home (Bayern winning 2-0 at home in November 2022).

Kick off will also be at 10 PM local time at the San Siro stadium.

UEFA Champions League quarter finals, Wednesday

10 PM: Real Madrid V Arsenal

10 PM: Inter Milan V Bayern Munich