The stage is set in Europe to unfurl the best of the best in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
Before, I predict the winners of the quarter finals, let me tell you in advance that this line-up doesn’t feature any high profile English clubs for the first time in many years.
So, here is the bold prediction for the next round of the most coveted prize in football.
Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund
The minnows from Spain have performed not only exceptionally well in Spain this season, but have also proved that they are not in the Champions League to make up the numbers.
The famous comeback win against FC Porto was nothing less than remarkable.
However, no matter how strong Malaga is, they are up against a paramount figure in Europe this season.
The side who defeated Real Madrid in Germany and then salvaged a point in Spain: Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund topped the Group of Death in Champions League, beating the Champions of England, Holland and Spain.
They then decimated Shaktar Donetsk with an impressive final aggregate.
Though Malaga have some great players like Isco but Dortmund have a class and hunger to prevail superior in this battle.
Verdict: Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
Many may see this as a David versus Goliath battle and many might say that Mourinho has hit the jackpot.
However, I insist that Madrid will find this Turkish side really tough to beat.
With two legs to play, Madrid would definitely win the one in Bernabeu, but the problems in Turkey will be huge.
Dealing with the fans and hostile environment is one which Ronaldo and Ozil won’t be used to.
However, fortune does favour the brave and though Drogba and Sneijder make the Turkish champions stronger, it is still not strong enough to beat Madrid.
The first leg will be crucial for Madrid because winning in Turkey looks very tough.
But after knocking out United, Real Madrid are a team full of confidence.
They must get over the finish line with a decent aggregate as the home match would be crucial.
Verdict: Real Madrid
PSG vs Barcelona
The famous 4-0 comeback win over AC Milan has changed the view of Barcelona all over the world.
Suddenly, also in part to do with avoiding Real in the quarters, they have become favourites to win the competition.
PSG will host the best team on planet without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However the battle between Lionel Messi and Thiago Silva will be epic.
Lucas Moura and David Beckham will have to be at their best but with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Alba and Messi, Ancelloti’s men will definitely lose the second leg at Camp Nou.
So do they have a chance to win the overall leg with a convincing win at Parc Des Princes?
No! Barcelona should win both the legs, but even if they miss out in France, they have to make sure that it turns out to be a draw.
Barcelona would look to land a knockout punch with an away goal and end the bout in Spain.
Verdict: Barcelona
Bayern Munich vs Juventus
The clash of the titans between Germany and Italy takes place on the 10th of April.
This encounter is definitely the best one of the round.
From pundits to fans, nobody has a clear favourite.
Juventus are unbeaten but Munich have a 92 percent win record this season.
However, Arsenal proved that they can be beaten and Juventus need to count on this factor.
The last time Munich lost at home in Champions League was at the hands of Inter Milan who defeated them 3-2.
The surprising part was that Munich had won the first leg in San Siro 1-0. Arsenal were also beaten 3-1 in the first leg recently.
So, is it the lacklustre performance of Munich taking things too lightly in the second leg the cause of their poor performance?
Munich fans can be happy that the second leg is away from home and there wouldn’t be any space for relief.
However, history does repeat itself and even with the likes of Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben, Munich will give their best only to be beaten by the Italians.
Inter did that even in the 2010 Champions League finals (and Italy beat Germany in the 2012 Euro semis). History is with Juventus.
A very close match will be witnessed which is likely to go in the favour of Vidal and company.
Verdict: Juventus
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