Bayern Munich were drawn against Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals during Friday's ceremony in Nyon. The first leg will be played on 15 or 16 April, with the return fixture at the Allianz Arena scheduled for 23 April.
Under manager Vincent Kompany, the German record champions avoided heavyweight favourites like Manchester City and Real Madrid in this round. The Italian side from Bergamo eliminated Porto in the last 16 and have been a surprise package this season. Exact kick-off times will be confirmed by UEFA.
For the other German clubs, the draw produced tougher tasks. Borussia Dortmund were paired with English champions Arsenal, while VfB Stuttgart, in their first Champions League campaign for over a decade, will face Italian Serie A titleholders Inter Milan. It was a mixed outcome for the Bundesliga's representatives.
The other quarter-final ties
The standout tie in the upper half of the draw is a repeat of recent finals between Real Madrid and Manchester City. The other match in that semi-final path pits Paris Saint-Germain against Benfica.
The winner of Bayern's tie against Atalanta will face the victor of the Paris Saint-Germain versus Benfica clash in the semi-finals. A potential all-German final against Dortmund or Stuttgart, or a meeting with Arsenal or Inter, is therefore only possible in the showpiece on 31 May in Munich. The road there, however, remains long.
Bayern can now begin specific preparations for the Italian opponents. Vincent Kompany's side can check their domestic form in the standings and view the upcoming schedule in the fixtures. First, they must find consistency in the Bundesliga to build momentum for their European return. The decisive second leg at home is set for 23 April.
