Champions League quarter-final draw: Manchester City meets PSG, Barcelona gets Atletico

The draw for the quarter-final stage of this season's Champions League was held Friday in Nyon, Switzerland, with an octet of balls drawn to reveal four enticing matchups.

While each pairing at this stage of the competition offers a scintillating match for football fans to look forward to next month, Manchester City's mouthwatering tie with Paris Saint-Germain pits Europe's newest financial powerhouses together in a contest that will feature a plethora of elite stars doing battle on the pitch.

In the round's other marquee matchup, Barcelona has a chance to avenge its loss to Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in 2014 after getting coupled with Diego Simeone's men. Luis Enrique's squad will look to erase memories of its loss to Atletico during its attempt to become the first champion to retain the European crown following last year's triumph over Juventus.

Bayern Munich hasn't faced Portuguese champions Benfica since 1981, while Real Madrid's matchup with VfL Wolfsburg - the first between the two clubs - rounds out the group.

The respective opening legs will take place on April 5 and 6, while the return fixtures are slated for the following week, on April 12 and 13.

Here are the matches that will have football supporters wishing they could fast-forward to April:

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City

• First leg: Wednesday, April 6 (Parc des Princes)
• Second leg: Tuesday, April 12 (Etihad Stadium)

Instant Analysis: Paris Saint-Germain will have its sights set on crushing the dreams of yet another English club after being drawn with Manchester City following a Round of 16 triumph over Chelsea. The pairing reunites two clubs that last met during the UEFA Cup group stage in 2008 - an affair that saw tempers boil over in the stands the last time the French champions travelled to the Etihad Stadium.

Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid

• First leg: Wednesday, April 5 (Camp Nou)
• Second leg: Tuesday, April 13 (Vicente Calderon)

Instant Analysis: Drawing Atletico Madrid gives Barcelona a chance to erase the horrors from two seasons ago, when Simeone's men put together a master class over two legs to win 2-1 and eliminate the Catalans during the same stage of the tournament. However, Atletico's poor form against Enrique's men of late - losers of six straight - will be tough to reverse against a Barca side that appears even more lethal with each passing match.

Bayern Munich vs. Benfica

(Courtesy: Bayern Munich)

• First leg: Wednesday, April 5 (Allianz Arena)
• Second leg: Tuesday, April 13 (Estadio da Luz)

Instant Analysis: Bayern's upcoming meeting with Benfica rekindles a matchup that's been dormant since the Bundesliga outfit won 4-1 en route to the final over 30 years ago - and eventually lost to Aston Villa (!). Bayern's dominance this season, including a thrilling comeback against Juve in the last round, suggests Benfica is in for a world of hurt over the two legs.

Real Madrid vs. VfL Wolfsburg

(Courtesy: Real Madrid)

• First leg: Wednesday, April 6 (Santiago Bernabeu)
• Second leg: Tuesday, April 12 (Volkswagen Arena)

Instant Analysis: There's not much to offer in the way of past meetings since the two sides have yet to face off in a competitive competition, but consensus around the football world suggests Real Madrid should advance to the semi-finals for a sixth consecutive season.