Hello there! The Champions League returns for some quarterfinal action this week, while the U.S. women’s national team wraps up a two-game series against Brazil on Tuesday. I’m Pardeep Cattry with an update ahead of a busy week.

📺 Footy fix

All times U.S./Eastern

• Monday, April 7
  🇮🇹 Serie A: Bologna vs. Napoli, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
  🏴 EPL: Leicester City vs. Newcastle United, 3 p.m. ➡️ USA Network

• Tuesday, April 8
  🇪🇺 UWNL: Spain vs. Portugal, 1 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Network
  🇪🇺 UCL: Arsenal vs. Real Madrid, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
  🇪🇺 UCL: Bayern Munich vs. Inter, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
  🌎 CCC: Tigres vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ➡️ FS1
  🌎 Friendly: USWNT vs. Brazil, 10:30 p.m. ➡️ TBS

⚽ The Forward Line

🇪🇺 Arsenal, Real Madrid face off in season-defining matches

The headlining act of this week’s Champions League action will be Real Madrid’s trip to Arsenal, which comes with significant stakes for two teams at very different stages in their season.

For the hosts, the baggage of seasons past defines the importance of this month’s two-legged tie. This was poised to be a season in which Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal would act upon the promise they demonstrated in years past and finally win a major title, but the nonexistent Premier League race means they are down to just one potential trophy lift – the Champions League. The Gunners’ European campaign has been straightforward, but a clash against Real Madrid offers their first serious test of the season, and at a crucial juncture of the competition. Arsenal have not booked a spot in the Champions League semifinals in nearly 20 years, so the importance of the quarterfinal tie is not lost on Arteta, who described these matches as the most significant of his managerial career.

• Arteta: “100%. The excitement around the club, the people, this is the stage we want to be, where Arsenal has to be consistently…”

In order to live up to the momentous occasion, they will have to get through Real Madrid first. Recent results might raise some questions about that claim, with a 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey not showcasing the imbalance Carlo Ancelotti’s side have had. However, the possibility of a trophyless season does not define Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign like it does for Arsenal at this point, though there’s just as much pressure for them to deliver.

🔗 Midfield Link Play

🇺🇸 Young USWNT show signs of growth against Brazil

The U.S. women’s national team kicked off their two-game series against Brazil with a 2-0 win on Saturday that showcased head coach Emma Hayes’ mix-and-match approach as she continues a period of player pool expansion.

Expect more details and analysis as we continue to cover both competitions in-depth.