Real Madrid await Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
After blowing away Atalanta over two legs, Bayern Munich are set to face old rivals Real Madrid in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Despite Los Blancos' struggles this season, which have seen them finish ninth in the league phase of this competition, be thrown out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier side Albacete, and dismiss former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso at the start of January, they‘ve sailed into the Champions League quarter-finals having beaten Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the round of 16.
A dominant 3-0 win in the first leg in Madrid gave them the perfect platform to advance ahead of their visit to Manchester, where another confident display saw them triumph 2-1 over Pep Guardiola‘s men, courtesy of a Vinícius Júnior brace, sent a clear message to their upcoming opponents.
Having struggled in the league phase, where they recorded losses to AC Milan, Lille and Liverpool, Real will now head into their meeting against Bayern full of confidence in their ability to go all the way for a record-extending 16th time, even if 'La Bestia Negra' - their fabled bogey team - stand in their way.
Bayern have a history of knocking Los Blancos out of this competition, having done so in the semi-finals of the old European Cup in 1967 and 1987, as well as in the 2001 and 2012 Champions League semis. And, on paper, they will be considered slight favourites in this season's quarter-finals - assuming they finish the job against Atalanta.
In the hunt for a third contintental treble after their 2012/13 and 2019/20 triumphs, Bayern have impressed in Europe so far this season, finishing second in the league phase with just one loss in eight games and the second-best goal difference (+14), prior to the 10-2 aggregate drubbing of Atalanta. It's form mirrorred domestically, with a nine-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga and DFB Cup semi-final berth - and only two defeats in all competitions - setting them up for potentially glorious finale.
Real have played the role of party poopers before, winning seven of their last 10 Champions League meetings with Bayern, only losing once. The most recent of those Real victories came in the 2023/24 campaign, when the two sides met in the semi-finals. The Madrid side advanced by a single-goal advantage, winning 2-1 in the Bernabéu after drawing 2-2 in Bavaria, before going on to beat Borussia Dortmund in the final.
Should Bayern take their revenge on Real in this season's quarter-finals, holders Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool await in the last four. A final against English Premier League leaders Arsenal - who ended the record Bundesliga champions' 18-game unbeaten start to 2025/26 back in November - is a distinct possibility...
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