14th April 2026
April 14 – Two of Europe’s heavyweights face the threat of elimination this evening as the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals enter their decisive second legs.
Liverpool will welcome holders Paris St-Germain to Anfield with the tough task of overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
That margin could have been greater. PSG created enough chances to put the tie out of reach, only for a combination of wasteful finishing and a standout performance from Giorgi Mamardashvili keeping Liverpool within touching distance.
Luis Enrique’s side arrive fresher. Their Ligue 1 fixture against Lens was postponed by the LFP at the weekend – a significant call given the two sides sit first and second in the table, separated by four points – allowing PSG to focus fully on the return leg.
Liverpool, by contrast, were in action but showed signs of life in a 2-0 win over Fulham. It was a result that steadied the mood after a difficult spell and gives under-fire manager Arne Slot some encouragement and his side some momentum.
The winners will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Bayern take a 2-1 lead into Wednesday’s second leg at the Allianz Arena and are marginal favourites to progress.
In the other quarter final fixture this evening, Atletico Madrid host Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
Diego Simeone’s side capitalised on Barcelona being reduced to 10 men at Camp Nou, with Pau Cubarsí’s first-half dismissal proving a turning point. Julián Álvarez converted the resulting free-kick, and Atletico controlled the game from there.
They go into the second leg as favourites to see it out, although Barcelona’s domestic form suggests they are capable of still turning this around. Under Hansi Flick they sit nine points clear at the top of La Liga and had been among Europe’s most consistent performers prior to last week’s setback.
For Barcelona, it is now a straight fight to keep their European campaign alive, with the club still searching for a first title in over a decade.
The winner will meet either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semi-finals, with Arsenal carrying a 1-0 lead into Wednesday’s second leg in north London.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1776163243labto1776163243ofdlr1776163243owedi1776163243sni@g1776163243niwe.1776163243yrrah1776163243](javascript:;)