Chelsea and Manchester City were both handed tough Champions League quarter-final ties but will meet in the last four if they advance.
Graham Potters’ Blues face holders and record 14-time winners Real Madrid, managed by former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, with the first leg taking place in Spain.
City manager Pep Guardiola will also be returning to an old side after the reigning Premier League champions were drawn against Bayern Munich in Friday’s quarter-final draw – where on-loan City defender Joao Cancelo could face his parent club.
The Etihad Stadium will host the first tie, with unbeaten City aiming to win their first-ever European Cup and on the back of Erling Haaland’s five goals in their 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig.
If they are to do so, they may also have to also overcome Chelsea in the semi-final stage in what would be a repeat of the 2021 final in which Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game for the London club.
The rest of the draw sees a Serie A derby between champions AC Milan and league-leaders Napoli, while Benfica face Inter Milan, with the other finalists coming from those four teams.
Champions League Quarter-Final Draw
Real Madrid v Chelsea
Inter Milan v Benfica
Manchester City v Bayern Munich
AC Milan v Napoli
Champions League Semi-Final Draw
AC Milan/Napoli v Inter Milan/Benfica
Real Madrid/Chelsea v Man City/Bayern
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I wonder how long it takes him to sign a few Irish in Bristol? Not saying it’s a bad thing but as he said he knows how good some of these players are
@Chris Mcdonnell: Well he’s already got Mads!
@RMcG: fair point I forgot about him but I was taking more about young players maybe second in line at their clubs.
I’m delighted for marmion. He got total of 6 minutes in the first two south African tests and was then replaced for the third by a player who had just announced his international retirement. He was clearly a player who deserved better than that and it took an injury to Murray to get his chance to show it. Still prefer Murray but Al least now we know that we have two 9s and 10s capable of playing.
Better than Murray potentially
@Alan Barber: that’s silly talk. Can you just not say he’s a fantastic player.
@Chris Mcdonnell: No. No I can’t Christmas Bells.
@Chris Mcdonnell: Chris this Alan b is like a sepsis on the 42. He lives on the soccer articles spewing about Man U or Liverpool can’t tell which as I don’t engage and now unfortunately he has infected the rugby comments.
My advice would be not to acknowledge him and hopefully he gets a job or something in the meantime
@bobby henderson: can just mute him. That’s what I did
There is no better preparation for playing Test Rugby, than actually playing test rugby. Critical that Murray has a deputy that is totally armed top step in when required. But is should not require injury to Murray for Marmion (or AN Other scrumhalf) to get sufficient game time to progress…
his big hots playing on the wing against Australia changed Joe’s perception of him
Marmion should be considered just as “cover” for Murray. He’s a different type of player and one that should be used when the strategy is complimented by his skillset. His consistent speed of delivery is top-drawer and he has the speed and eye for a gap to keep fringe defenses from taking short-cuts.
@Dennis Laffey: indeed it’s his eye for a gap that sets him apart from Murray. Marmion is such a nuggety little player, bristles with intent with or without the ball. If your an opposition nine he must drive you demented….
For me Murray rarely breaks whether it’s strategy or. choice,but it’s an oddity for a nine of his size who is by no means slow.
But it astonishes me given how much team’s target Sexton, that he doesn’t carry the ball up more himself and keep opposition backrows guessing….
Have some decorum, Daragh, its’ free