Wortley Today The latest headlines from the UK
The Champions League quarterfinals kick off tonight with both Manchester City and Arsenal facing tough challenges in their respective ties.
Arsenal in Munich Against Bayern Munich
- Arsenal travel to Germany needing a win or a draw with more than one away goal to progress after a 2-1 draw in the first leg.
- Manager Mikel Arteta is urging his team to rewrite their narrative, having suffered a recent setback with a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
- This defeat dropped Arsenal to two points behind Manchester City in the title race, adding pressure to their Champions League ambitions.
- Left-back Kieran Tierney’s fitness is a concern, with Nuno Tavares or Cedric Soares potential replacements.
- Bayern Munich, despite missing Alphonso Davies due to suspension, will be confident, especially with Harry Kane, a former Tottenham player with a good record against Arsenal, in their squad.
Manchester City Host Real Madrid at the Etihad
- Manchester City will be looking to defend their title at home against a resurgent Real Madrid.
- City boasts a remarkable record at the Etihad, with 41 games unbeaten.
- Pep Guardiola’s men will be wary of Real Madrid’s recent form, including a convincing win against Barcelona in La Liga.
- A key decision for Guardiola is whether Kyle Walker, who has missed the last five games, is fit enough to start.
- The return of Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid adds another dimension to their attack. Bellingham has impressed in his first season at the club, already contributing 20 goals and 10 assists.
- Last year’s epic semi-final clash between these two teams, which City won 4-0, is still fresh in everyone’s minds, adding another layer of intrigue to this fixture.
Fan Fancies
- Interestingly, a poll on Sky Sports’ WhatsApp page revealed that 58% of Tottenham Hotspur fans want Bayern Munich to win, hoping it would improve their chances of securing a Champions League spot next season.
Overall, both Arsenal and Manchester City face significant challenges tonight. Arsenal needs to overcome a strong Bayern Munich side away from home, while Manchester City will be looking to avoid a repeat of their heartbreaking defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League two years ago.
