UCL Draw: Chelsea to play Real Madrid as Man City clash with Bayern Munich

For the third successive season, Chelsea will once again face holders Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. In last year’s explosive last-eight tie, Chelsea almost pulled off an epic comeback at the Bernabeu, with three goals in Spain wiping out Madrid’s advantage before a 96th-minute Benzema header sealed a 5-4 aggregate victory for Real.

Chelsea had previously overcome Real Madrid in the semi-finals in 2020/21, winning 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away before lifting the trophy for the second time with victory over Manchester City in Porto.

This season, Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate to secure their place in the last eight, while Chelsea overcame Borussia Dortmund in a huge result that has helped to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Graham Potter and spark a promising turnaround in domestic fortunes.

The first leg of this season’s encounter will be held at the Bernabeu, with the return fixture taking place in west London.

In other quarter-final matches, City will face former employers and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Napoli will meet AC Milan in an all-Italian affair, and Inter will go up against Portuguese contenders Benfica.

The semi-final pathways were also announced after the draw, with Chelsea and City potentially facing each other for a spot in the Istanbul showpiece on June 10, provided they both win their respective heavyweight quarter-final matches. The winners of Benfica vs Inter and AC Milan vs Napoli will also go head to head in the semis, with the potential of a Milan derby in the last-four stage.

Champions League quarter-final draw in full

Real Madrid vs Chelsea

Benfica vs Inter Milan

Manchester City vs Bayern Munich

AC Milan vs Napoli

Champions League semi-final draw

Real Madrid/Chelsea vs Manchester City/Bayern Munich

Benfica/Inter Milan vs AC Milan/Napoli