UEFA Champions League injury update: Who is struggling for quarter-finals? Will Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins be fit?
Updated 02/04/2025 at 09:39 GMT+1
The UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are just days away now, with some of Europe's best sides aiming to reach the final in Munich. Star names like Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel and Dani Olmo have been battling injuries in the build-up to April's quarter-finals. Ahead of four crucial clashes, here is all the injury news from the eight teams involved.
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The UEFA Champions League will return to our screens next month, and fans have four mouthwatering quarter-finals to sink their teeth into.
Arsenal will face 15-time winners Real Madrid, while Aston Villa will take on French giants PSG.
Bayern Munich will go head-to-head with Serie A icons Internazionale, and Barcelona will collide with last year's losing finalists Borussia Dortmund.
It looks set to be an exciting month of action between Europe's elite - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - but after a busy season, some sides are starting to take a hit.
At this late stage of the campaign, injuries are sure to play a role in deciding who takes the next step on the road to Munich.
With that in mind, here is all the latest injury news ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arsenal v Real Madrid
Bukayo Saka made a scoring return from a three-month injury lay-off as Arsenal beat Fulham in the Premier League on April 1.
Manager Mikel Arteta said Saka's goal was a "beautiful moment", but the win was soured by injuries to defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber.
Gabriel was forced off with a hamstring problem while Timber had a knee issue and did not finish the game.
"There are two players in this team that never want to come off and it’s those two, probably," said Arteta. "Gabi felt something in his hamstring. Jurrien was already struggling very early in the game."
The Gunners will still be without forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus against Real Madrid, with the attacking duo not expected to return until next season.
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However, Arsenal - also without Takehiro Tomiyasu - will be missing Riccardo Calafiori due to a knee injury suffered on international duty with Italy.
Arteta has said Calafiori is facing "weeks" on the sidelines.
For Madrid, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are long-term lay-offs with cruciate ligament tears, while Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos both have muscle injuries, but could return for the first leg on Tuesday, April 8, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Aston Villa v PSG
Ollie Watkins suffered a knee injury during Aston Villa’s 3-0 triumph over Club Brugge, but looks set to be available for his side's quarter-final against PSG.
Watkins made his return coming off the bench in Villa's 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Preston.
Ross Barkley could also be back in time for the first-leg match against PSG.
Villa will come up against an in-form PSG side whose only current issue affects Lee Kang-in, who was injured while on international duty with South Korea.
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Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund
Dani Olmo will miss Barcelona's tie with Borussia Dortmund after he limped off during his side's 3-0 victory over Osasuna.
Barca confirmed that Olmo is facing three weeks out, which would mean he would miss both legs of the quarter-final tie.
After the clash against Osasuna, Barca head coach Hansi Flick criticised the decision to play a match so shortly after the international break.
"Today we made the best of the situation we have," said Flick.
"It's not the right date for playing this match. After the international break, it was not good. We have three points more, but we paid a really high price for the injury of Dani. It's not good.
"We don't know how long he will be out. If it's two weeks, it means a lot of matches, or three weeks more matches. It's not a good situation. The price was very high for the three points."
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Andreas Christensen is in a race against the clock to be fit for the quarter-final, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out with a ruptured patellar tendon.
Marc Bernal and Marc Casado also remain on the sidelines.
Dortmund have no new significant injury news ahead of the fixture, though Felix Nmecha could return from a knee issue sustained in late January, while ex-Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer remains sidelined.
Bayern Munich v Internazionale
Bayern Munich look set to be without Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano for their match with Internazionale after they suffered knee injuries on international duty.
Davies is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear, while Upamecano is out for "several weeks" with a knee injury.
"Unfortunately, there's always the risk of players returning from international breaks with injuries - this time we've been hit particularly hard," said Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl.
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"The absence of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano weighs heavily on FC Bayern.
"We'll also be keeping a close eye on Upa in the coming weeks and expect him to be available again soon."
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However, Kingsley Coman and Manuel Neuer are both on track to be available for selection in mid-April, with the second leg set for Wednesday, April 16, but Aleksandar Pavlovic is still doubtful.
Inter trio Lautaro Martinez, Denzel Dumfries and Marcus Thuram withdrew from international duty with injuries but all started in the Serie A draw with Napoli on Monday.
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