Champions League Quarter-Final Draw: Real Madrid Face Arsenal, PSG Drawn Against Aston Villa

The draw for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals has set up a series of intriguing clashes, with 15-time champions Real Madrid facing Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain paired with Aston Villa. The draw, conducted on [Day of the week], ensures that only teams from Europe’s five wealthiest leagues – England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France – remain in contention.

Real Madrid, who overcame city rivals Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw (3-2 aggregate), will travel to London to face Arsenal in the first leg on April 8th or 9th. Arsenal comfortably defeated PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate. The return leg will be played in Madrid on April 15th or 16th. This draw means Real have faced, or will face, three English sides, having defeated Manchester City.

PSG, who eliminated top-seeded Liverpool in the last 16, will host Aston Villa in the first leg. The winner of this tie will face either Real Madrid or Arsenal in the semi-finals, potentially setting up a clash between Kylian Mbappé and his rumored future club, Real Madrid.

The other quarter-final ties see Barcelona, who edged past Benfica, take on Borussia Dortmund, with the first leg in Spain. Dortmund came from behind to beat Lille. Finally, Bayern Munich, comfortable victors over Lazio, will host Inter Milan in a rematch of the 2010 Champions League final, which Inter won.

The dominance of clubs from Europe’s top five leagues reflects the increasing financial disparity in European football. UEFA will distribute almost €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) in prize money to the 36 Champions League teams this season, with a 20% increase in payouts further widening the gap. England and Spain are also poised to benefit from bonus fifth places in next season’s Champions League, channeling further revenue to those leagues.

Each quarter-finalist will receive €12.5 million ($13.6 million), with a place in the semi-finals worth an additional €15 million ($16.3 million).

The first legs of the quarter-finals are scheduled for April 8th or 9th, with the return legs taking place one week later. The final will be held at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31st. The draw ensures a compelling mix of established European giants and ambitious challengers, promising an exciting climax to this season’s Champions League.