Error code: %{errorCode}
Champions League quarter-final talking points - Kane returns, Rashford ready to fire as Arsenal and Liverpool seek response
The Champions League quarter-finals get underway on Tuesday night when Real Madrid host Bayern Munich and Arsenal travel to Sporting CP.
Wednesday night sees Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in an all-Spanish affair while holders Paris Saint-Germain face Liverpool in the French capital.
Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall analyses the key storylines surrounding the four ties heading into the first legs.
Could this be Bayern's time again?
Only Real Madrid and AC Milan have been crowned champions of Europe more times than Bayern Munich, who lie joint-third with Liverpool in the all-time winners list on six European Cups.
The Bundesliga champions have enjoyed a long and storied relationship with European football’s premier competition, famously winning it three seasons in succession between 1974 and 1976.
As their record would suggest, that Bayern team was one of the greatest club sides in European football history.
The German giants were last crowned champions of Europe in 2020 but they lie nine points clear at the Bundesliga summit.
Harry Kane was forced to miss England’s friendly defeat to Japan last week with what Thomas Tuchel described as a “minor injury.”
But he is expected to face Madrid on Tuesday and square off against Kylian Mbappe.
Kane's availability would by a massive boost to Vincent Kompany's men as they look to gain a first-leg advantage before travelling to the Spanish capital next week.
Come on Arsenal, for goodness sake
Falling short has become the common theme of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal reign.
Take last season, for example, when they finished runners-up in the Premier League and were dumped out of the Champions League in the semi-finals.
And here we are, approaching 12 months on, and they have just been lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and been bundled out of the FA Cup by Southampton.
Thus the Champions League has taken on added importance as Arteta looks to negotiate a way past Sporting CP.
The Portuguese side are certainly no mugs, but surely the Gunners have enough about them to reach the semi-finals – especially with next week's second leg being at home.
Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
Rashford ready to take centre stage
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is on a season-long loan at Barcelona, who have the option to buy him for £26million at the end of the campaign.
He had scored 11 goals for Hansi Flick's side, including five in the Champions League, and 11 assists.
It has been a very decent contribution to the Barca cause and the Mancunian was at it again with a vital goal in Saturday's 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.
That victory sent the reigning Spanish champions seven points clear at the summit as they home in on another title.
How Rashford would love to repeat the feat in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Spotify Camp Nou.
With Brazilian sensation Raphinha currently with a hamstring strain, greater responsibility will fall on Rashford’s shoulders in the two legs against Diego Simeone’s side.
Flick, meanwhile, has been coy on Rashford’s future beyond this season, remarking after Saturday’s win: “I’m very happy with Marcus.
“He has shown his quality and he scored an important goal.
“I can’t say anything about his future, we have to focus on the matches until the end of the season.”
@marcusrashford
Reds need to stand their ground in Paris
Liverpool supporters can be too loyal at times, but seldom can they be deceived.
The sight of many Reds fans marching out of the Etihad Stadium in disgust on Saturday summed up their season so far in many ways.
In short, it has been nowhere near good enough and their legions of followers know it.
Nevertheless, the Champions League could yet prove their salvation.
Liverpool have been crowned champions of Europe six times and this season they have saved much of their best form for the Champions League nights.
With Arne Slot fighting to keep his job, less than 12 months after delivering the Premier League title in his maiden season at Anfield, the Dutchman needs to conjure a performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
Luis Enrique’s side are favourites to progress as they look to defend their European crown they won last season after beating Liverpool en-route to the final in Munich, when they hammered Inter Milan 5-0.
There has been much change at Liverpool and PSG this season, but Slot needs a display that keeps his side in the tie heading into next Tuesday’s second leg at Anfield.
How to watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
