Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich have made significant strides in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the quarter-finals and setting the stage for thrilling matchups against some of the top teams in Europe. After intense performances, both teams prepared for new challenges on the road to the prestigious title.
Borussia Dortmund secured its place by overcoming OSC Lille, demonstrating resilience after facing adversity during their second leg of the round of 16. The match took place after the teams drew 1-1 at Dortmund for the first leg. Initially, it seemed like Lille might upset the Bundesliga squad as they took the lead with an early strike from Jonathan David. Yet, the tide turned when Dortmund's Emre Can converted a penalty, followed by Maximilian Beier's decisive goal, sealing the victory at 2-1 and ensuring Dortmund's continuation to the top 8 teams of Europe after their recent final appearance last year. "Dortmund is back among the top 8 teams in Europe, aiming to challenge for the title again after their final appearance last year," reported by DAZN.
Next up for Dortmund is the illustrious FC Barcelona, with the first leg scheduled for April 9, 2025, at the Lluis-Companys Stadium, located in the heart of Barcelona. The return match will take place at Signal Iduna Park, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, on April 15. Having faced Barcelona earlier this season—only to fall short with a score of 2-3 during group stages—Dortmund is determined to overturn their past performance and prove their worth against the La Liga giants.
Meanwhile, FC Bayern Munich asserted its dominance by eliminating Bayer Leverkusen with an imposing aggregate scoreline of 5-0. Despite suffering surprises earlier on, not least falling to Feyenoord during the league phase, Bayern showcased their resilience with strong performances as they progressed. The German squad aims to fast track through this year's tournament after previously tasting defeat against Inter Milan during the 2010 Champions League final. Bayern's first leg against Inter is set for April 8, 2025, at Munich's Allianz Arena. "The quarter-final showdown between FC Bayern and Inter is reminiscent of their 2010 final encounter," reported by DAZN.
The second encounter against Serie A's Inter Milan will take place at the Giuseppe-Meazza stadium on April 16, 2025. Each match promises to be filled with drama and excitement, starting at 21:00 local time. The historical significance of this rematch offers both teams the opportunity for redemption and advancement toward the final.
One of the biggest talking points continues to be the broadcasting rights. The matches will be split between streaming services DAZN and Amazon Prime Video. DAZN is set to cover most games, including six of the eight quarter-final matches exclusively, making them the go-to channel for Champions League coverage. Meanwhile, Amazon will air the matches on Tuesday night, including the first matchup between Bayern and Inter.
Finally, all eyes will be on Munich for the Champions League final scheduled for May 31, 2025, where the hopes and dreams of both clubs will be pushed toward glory. The ability of both Dortmund and Bayern to advance through the next stages could set the stage for what many are hoping will be another thrilling German encounter, especially if they are slated to meet each other again.
With the quarter-finals looming, spectators and fans alike are excited to witness how these teams will fare individually as they chase their Champions League ambitions during this pivotal juncture of the season.