“They entered from the right side…”. The equestrian term refers, in horse racing, to the time when the competitors have already turned the last corner and the last five hundred meters remain until the discus. There they will define the most complete ones on the line. That’s what happens with the European Champions League when the quarter-finals arrive. First of all, there are 78 applicants from 54 countries, 32 pass the filter and animate the group stage, and in the quarter-finals there are 8 teams whose dream of reaching glory is not broken. Three of them are Italians, which has not happened since 2006.

The Champions League returns this Tuesday. Bolillero sang Real Madrid-Chelsea, Manchester City-Bayern Munich, Milan-Napoli, Benfica-Inter… Surprisingly, three Italians, two Englishmen, one Spaniard, one German and one Portuguese. Before seeing the head-to-head table, we set the contenders in four steps: 1) Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, in that order, as favorites, first of all. 2) Napoli in the second level. 3) Benfica. 4) Milan, Inter and Chelsea in the lower ranking, with fewer opportunities.

With the draw, things changed dramatically. Of the three white sharks, only one will make it to the finals. Or nothing, if Chelsea managed to eliminate Madrid first and then the winner of City-Bayern. And from the other hemisphere, Napoli have an expeditious journey to their first definition of the Champions League on June 5 in Istanbul. But let’s start in order…

* Youth. The key word that explains why Italy, which is currently the fourth most important league in Europe, puts three teams in the quarter-finals, while Spain and Germany qualify one, and the English two. Three Italians and none of them are Juventus, it is worth noting. country of catenaccio Historically, he was fond of veteran football players, and Milan has been the standard bearer of the shelter for thirty-odd years. But they are changing, or already are. Milan eliminated Tottenham with many youngsters on the field: Brahim Díaz, Saelemaekers, Rafael Leão, Tommaso Pobega (all 23), De Katelaere, Sandro Tonali, Pierre Kalulu (22), Malick Thiaw (21), Theo Hernández and Fiyako Tomori ( 25). Inter has more experienced people, but they lowered the average age a long time ago. Because now they sell bats, and no one buys the old ones. And because we are in an era of total intensity, and those with fresh legs can handle it.

* An accident. Year after year, Manchester City is eager to win the Champions League. Sometimes he faltered, sometimes trouble tripped him (like against Tottenham in 2019 or last year against Madrid, who were dominant in the game). Now it’s the sky blue team’s turn to dance with the ugliest: Bayern, the terrible German miracle, champion of intensity, character, six-time winner, five runners-up, ten-time semi-finalist. A competitive beast that, in addition, represents a stellar team for this clash, very wide, with a lot of quality, position by position. Pep’s team will have to play a lot, although they know how to do it, and this time they have the fierce Erling Haaland, who will not back down before the Germans or anyone else. It will be City’s constant touch and attack against Bayern’s pressure and strength. Perhaps the best possible match in world football to watch today.

* Eternal. In the top tier, struggling Chelsea will have to deal with perennial champions Real Madrid, a club – not a team – that has established a mental superiority over every other team on Earth, including Bayern. This remarkable psychological advantage, achieved through eight decades of victories, titles and exploits, allows him to prevail even in matches where he is clearly a footballing inferior. But an impressive flow of self-confidence leads him to believe in the possible and the impossible; basically on the canvas counting to eight, get up and knock out. Chelsea will endure that mountain of mysticism and faith both in Madrid and in London. On the other side of the table, the club from Stamford Bridge arrives badly with a new coach: Frank Lampard. Madrid is a great candidate in this match, but…

* Be careful…! Many, if not all, wanted Benfica in the quarter-final draw; But few notice that Euseb’s club (a real monster…) is undefeated in the Champions League, with 6 wins and 2 draws, 23 for and only 8 against. He is also the leader in Portugal with seven points ahead of Porto and with 68 goals in 27 games. When all is added up, in 35 games he lost only two. Machine eleven by the German Roger Schmidt. And attention to this name: Gonçalo Ramos. He’s not Haaland, he’s not Mbappé, he’s not Benzema, but he’s 21 years old, he’s scored 25 goals in just over half a season and he has outstanding technical qualities. He only scores goals. He is the one who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup and scored a hat-trick on the day he replaced him, against Switzerland. It is at an extraordinary time. Benfica arrives very well prepared to pass it to Inter and win the semi-finals.

* Napolization. Napoli is the sensation of this cycle 2022-2023. In Italy and in Europe. He made a total renovation of the team: he removed 18 players and inserted 11, and he is a roller. He got rid of, among others, Insigne, Mertens, Fabián Ruiz, Milik, Koulibaly, and hired Kvaratskhelia, Raspadori, Gio Simeone… And above all, he stayed with Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian who at the age of 24 resembles Attila, King of the Huns. Destroys defenses, adds 25 goals, but generates much more with the spread he makes in the zone with his strength. Napoli leads Serie A with 19 points ahead of Lazio. Such a crack can bring him the Scudetto with record anticipation. In two matches against Milan in Serie A, they beat them at San Siro 2-1, but fell 4-0 in Naples. Maradona’s club has never been European champion, and it has never been so close. Today in the bets for the champion Napoli pays 4.50 euros for each bet. That’s the second favorite. First is Manchester City (3.25), then Bayern (5) and Madrid (8). The most important thing of all is the extremely fat game of Luciano Spalletti’s team and its stratospheric morale. Can he be the champion…? Of course.

* Reality. The photo of the eight quarter-finalists clearly shows that Paris Saint-Germain was not there to pretend to win the Champions League. He is shorter than most. He was even second behind Benfica in his group. His disastrous transfer policy (common at the French club) made him less competitive. Two of the world’s best footballers play for PSG (Messi and Mbappé), but this is a penalty shootout and the others are nowhere near the same level as them. There is a misconception that it is a “team of stars” and “millions”. Apart from the two named, there are no stars. The third should be Neymar, but Ney always remains in potential time. And millions spend everything at this level. (OR)