Two quarter-finalists are still unknown.
Their identity is hidden between these four teams: Inter, Atlético de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven.
If the Milanese club took an option on qualification after its victory against the Spaniards in the round of 16 first leg (1-0), the other meeting was more indecisive.
The Germans were held in check on the pitch of the Dutch club (1-1).
Inter, finalist of the last edition, dominated the first leg against Diego Simeone's team.
But he had struggled to find the fault and had long stumbled upon Jan Oblak.
The Austrian Marko Arnautovic ended up scoring at the end of the match (79th).
The Milanese club therefore leaves with a certain advantage, but it could have been more substantial.
Very large leader of Serie A (16 points ahead of AC Milan, its runner-up), the club coached by Simone Inzaghi has won its last 13 matches.
Ogni sfida è da vivere ⚔️
Uniti per confrontarle tutte ⚫🔵#ForzaInter #UCL #AtleticoMadridInter pic.twitter.com/9q8j8vOsJC
— Inter (@Inter) March 12, 2024
The transalpine coach was also praised by his goalkeeper, Yann Sommer, this Tuesday in the Copa TS podcast: “Inzaghi is a monster, he is very attentive to every detail.
During each training session, he seeks to obtain the maximum.
» Since his arrival in Lombardy, the 47-year-old coach has won three Super Cups and two Italian Cups.
Atlético coach Diego Simeone praised the qualities of Inter on Tuesday at a press conference: “We are going to face one of the best teams in Europe, but I have confidence in my players.
» He also highlighted the talent of the Milanese striker, Lautaro Martinez, the top scorer in his championship with 23 goals.
“It displays an international level, among the best in Europe.
He demonstrates it with Inter and the Argentine selection.
»
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/qzHkPzaNCg
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) March 12, 2024
But against Inter, Atlético will have their card to play, at home at the Metropolitano.
If the Madrid club lost on Saturday at Cádiz (2-0), and has not won away since January 22, it displays a much higher level at home.
A statistic also testifies to its solidity: since the arrival of Diego Simeone on the bench in 2011, Atlético has never lost a Champions League knockout match in its lair.
“Have a great evening with our supporters”
In the other meeting this Wednesday evening, neither team seems really favorite.
During the first leg, PSV conceded a goal at the start of the match (27th).
Before equalizing after the break (56th), a fair reward for his domination.
Peter Bosz's team, still undefeated in the Dutch championship and first with a 10-point lead, is having an excellent season.
Borussia Dortmund is in a much more delicate position, with fourth place in the Bundesliga.
Despite everything, his coach, Edin Terzic, was confident on Tuesday morning at a press conference: “We are approaching this match with a good state of mind.
Many details will allow us to have a great evening with our supporters.
»
Also read: From Chelsea to the Blues, the confessions of Malo Gusto: “In today's football, the human element is lost”
Scorer in the first leg, Donyell Malen however conceded that the Yellow and Black had prepared for a close match: “The first match was exciting, we could have won it.
We don't think about the penalty shootout, but everyone has trained.
»