Defending champions Manchester City will play Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals while Barcelona take on Paris St Germain after the draw was held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday.
Madrid are 14-times champions but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were soundly beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Pep Guardiola’s City in the semi-finals last year.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid face Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, which means all three Spanish teams have the opportunity to reach the semi-finals.
This may also be Kylian Mbappe’s last chance to win the title with PSG with the French forward set to leave the Ligue 1 club at the end of the season. PSG reached the final in 2020 where they lost to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal returned to the quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years and they play Bayern Munich which will give the German club’s star striker Harry Kane – who has scored 36 goals this season – another crack at his former north London rivals.
Kane has played Arsenal 19 times in all competitions and scored 14 goals. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker is the joint-top scorer in the Champions League this season alongside Antoine Griezmann, Erling Haaland and Mbappe with six goals.
Six-times champions Bayern have been Arsenal’s biggest nemesis in the competition, with the German side triumphing in all four knockout ties between the two sides.
The last time they met, Bayern beat Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in the last-16 in 2017. Bayern have won each of the last three meetings 5-1.
However, Bayern will not have their fans in the away end due to a UEFA ban after their supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch during their 3-1 win at Lazio earlier this month.
The path to the semi-finals was also set, with City and Premier League leaders Arsenal on a collision course if they advance.
The quarter-final draw was the last in the current format with UEFA adopting an all-new format from the 2024-25 season onwards.
The Champions League final will be held on June 1 at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium in London.
QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter final 1: Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Quarter final 2: Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
Quarter final 3: Real Madrid v Manchester City
Quarter final 4: Paris St Germain v Barcelona
SEMI-FINALS
Semi-final 1: Winner of Q/F 2 v Winner of Q/F 4
Semi-final 1: Winner of Q/F 1 v Winner of Q/F 3
* Teams mentioned first will play the first leg at home
Rio Ferdinand may be done with UK living, for now.
The former Manchester United star, 47, has listed his seven-bedroom Kent mansion for £10.5 million (Dh52 million), hinting his move to Dubai is permanent.
Set in the exclusive Farnborough Park estate, the 12,500 sq ft home features landscaped grounds, a private gym, grand reception spaces, and a luxury master suite with dual dressing rooms. He bought it in 2008 for around £2.7 million, meaning a potential £8 million profit, though tax could apply depending on residency status.
Ferdinand moved to Dubai last year with his wife Kate and their children. They are now living in a luxury villa in Al Barari.
He has been candid about the move, citing more family time, an improved lifestyle, and the appeal of a fresh start. “The lifestyle, safety and weather, it just works for us,” Ferdinand said in the report.
He’s not alone. Vincent Kompany is also reportedly selling his UK home, as more football names rethink where they’re based.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has alerted motorists to expected traffic delays on key roads on Wednesday, April 22, due to the AFC Champions League 2 match taking place at Al Wasl Club.
The fixture between Qatar’s Al Ahli and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition, which has been drawing strong crowds across the region. Matches at this stage of the tournament typically attract large numbers of fans, especially when hosted in major cities like Dubai, leading to increased traffic around stadium zones.
Authorities expect congestion on roads leading to and around the stadium, particularly during pre-match and post-match hours, as supporters head to watch the game live.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
To help ease congestion, the RTA confirmed that additional parking spaces will be available behind the stadium, offering more options for those attending the match.
The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to manage traffic during major sporting events and ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for residents and visitors across Dubai.
If you’re driving around Abu Dhabi this weekend, you might want to plan, because several key roads are set to close.
The Run for the Nation 5km race is taking over Wahat Al Karama this Saturday, bringing together the community for a morning of fitness and fun.
But it also means temporary traffic disruptions you should know about.
Here’s what’s happening Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, the event kicks off at 8am, and it’s completely free to join.
To keep runners safe, road closures will be in place from 5am to 10am around the area. There are additional lane closures on E20 due to ongoing infrastructure works:
• Right lane towards Abu Dhabi closed from April 17 (2pm)- April 20 (5am) • Entry & exit from Al Fursan Street closed from April 18-April 19
Expect delays around Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20).
What should motorists do • Leave earlier than usual • Follow diversion signs • Avoid the area if possible during peak hours
While traffic may slow things down, the event is all about community, fitness, and bringing people together, a big win for Abu Dhabi’s active lifestyle push.
So whether you’re running or just commuting, be ready, plan smart, and stay moving.
