The Champions League quarter-finals start this week. Here are five things to look out for

The Champions League quarter-finals open this week with storylines ranging from a historic heavyweight rematch to a homecoming for Arsenal’s record signing and a Spanish civil war in the last eight. Below are the key narratives to follow as the first legs unfold.

1. Real Madrid v Bayern Munich: the rivalry that refuses to cool No two clubs have met more often in the European Cup/Champions League era than Madrid and Bayern, who will face off for the 29th time. Madrid hold a slender 13-11 edge with four draws, but the recent narrative tilts heavily toward the Spanish giants: Bayern have not eliminated Madrid since 2011-12, losing each of the four knockout ties contested since. Zinedine Zidane, who lifted the trophy as Madrid boss three times, calls the fixtures “the games we always want to play,” and the latest instalment arrives with both sides in contrasting domestic form. Bayern have plundered 97 goals in 27 Bundesliga matches under Vincent Kompany and swatted Atalanta aside 10-2 on aggregate in the previous round, while Madrid trail Barcelona by seven points in La Liga after Saturday’s defeat at Mallorca. Something has to give.

2. Viktor Gyokeres’ emotional return to Sporting CP Arsenal’s €63.5 million summer purchase will step back into the José Alvalade Stadium where he scored 68 league goals in 66 games and transformed from Coventry City export to elite marksman. The 27-year-old has endured a bumpier transition in London—11 Premier League goals in 29 appearances and rotation with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus—but a Sweden hat-trick against Ukraine and an 88th-minute winner versus Poland in World Cup qualifying have restored confidence. First-leg Sporting vs Arsenal now carries the subplot of whether the striker can punish the club that catapulted him into the global spotlight.

3. Liverpool’s shot at redemption against PSG Twelve months after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the round of 16, the English champions confront the holders again, this time in the quarter-finals. A 4-0 FA Cup humbling by Manchester City on Saturday underscored a turbulent domestic campaign that sees Arne Slot’s expensively assembled side sitting fifth, but European glory remains a viable escape route. PSG have eliminated three English clubs en route to last season’s final and demolished Chelsea 8-2 last month; stopping Kylian Mbappé and company would instantly rehabilitate Liverpool’s season.

4. Spain’s civil war: Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid For the first time this season two Spanish clubs meet in the knockout phase, guaranteeing a Liga presence in the semi-finals. Barcelona edged the league clash 2-1 at the weekend and top the table on 76 points, yet Atlético hold recent psychological sway after a 4-0 Copa del Rey first-leg rout at the Metropolitano. Hansi Flick can unleash 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, while Diego Simeone counters with January recruit Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez—ironically a summer transfer target for Barça.

5. A lopsided draw opens the door for Arsenal The bracket has split into a brutish side and a comparatively navigable one. Whoever emerges from Madrid-Bayern will face either PSG or Liverpool, forming a murderers’ row of past or present favourites. The other section pairs Arsenal against Sporting before a prospective semi-final with either Barcelona or Atlético. Mikel Arteta’s side, yet to lift the trophy, possess the division’s best defensive record and will view the pathway to the May 30 final in Budapest as the most inviting of any remaining contender.

Viewers in the UK can follow the drama on TNT Sports, now housed on HBO Max, with Amazon Prime airing select Tuesday fixtures including Sporting-Arsenal on 7 April and the Liverpool-PSG return leg on 14 April. US audiences can stream matches on Paramount+ and DAZN, while TUDN provides Spanish-language coverage.