Barcelona, PSG, and Arsenal have one foot in the Champions League semifinals with their commanding first-leg leads. But as any football fan knows, nothing is guaranteed in Europe's elite competition.
Both Barcelona and PSG have bitter memories of how quickly fortunes can change. Barca was leading PSG 4-2 on aggregate early in last year's quarterfinal second leg before collapsing to a 6-4 defeat. And who can forget 2017, when PSG's comfortable 4-0 first-leg lead evaporated at Camp Nou in that infamous 6-1 defeat?
That's what makes Champions League nights so special - the drama and unpredictability. Just ask Liverpool fans about their miracle comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 final, turning around a 3-0 halftime deficit.
Real Madrid's Mountain to Climb
Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid needs something truly special after their 3-0 hammering at Arsenal. The defending champions have been unconvincing lately, winning just one of their last four matches.
The Bernabeu faithful will be hoping for another magical European night on Wednesday. Madrid's history is built on impossible comebacks - remember that incredible semifinal against Manchester City in 2022? Down 5-3 on aggregate in the 90th minute, they somehow pulled off the unthinkable.
Bookmakers have Madrid as underdogs to advance, but experienced bettors know better than to write off the 15-time champions at home.
Barcelona and PSG Flourishing in New Eras
Barcelona's post-Messi era is finally looking promising under Hansi Flick. With a comfortable 4-0 lead over Dortmund, they're virtually assured a semifinal spot barring a historic collapse on Tuesday.
The attacking trio of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has transformed Barca into genuine contenders again. This looks like their best chance of Champions League glory since 2015.
Meanwhile, PSG is thriving without Mbappe. Their young, dynamic team has already wrapped up the French league title and impressed in Europe with wins against Manchester City and Liverpool.
Ousmane Dembele has stepped up as their new star, enjoying a remarkable run of form. With a 3-1 advantage over Aston Villa, Luis Enrique's side should progress comfortably to the semifinals.
The closest quarterfinal sees Inter Milan holding a slender 2-1 lead over Bayern Munich. Frattesi's late winner in Germany could prove decisive when the teams meet at the San Siro.
Inter, finalists in 2023, might be the dark horse in this year's competition. Smart punters are taking notice of their organized defense and clinical counterattacking style that troubled even Manchester City two years ago.
The Champions League has taught us to expect the unexpected. While Barcelona, PSG, and Arsenal hold commanding leads, football history tells us that nothing is certain until the final whistle.
