Champions League semifinal draw, The semifinal matchups are set for the UEFA Champions League after a slate of exciting quarterfinal games, where Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus prevailed.
Following Friday’s draw, Bayern Munich will travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona on May 6. On the other side, Real Madrid goes away to Turin first to face Juventus on May 5.With four super clubs remaining, the semifinals and beyond present a breadth of storylines leading up to the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin on June 6.
However, each team has two legs remaining to determine who will face-off at the Olympiastadion. Let's take a quick look at the two intriguing semifinal fixtures.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola will be under the spotlight throughout both legs as he returns to Barcelona for the first time since leaving the Camp Nou after the 2012 season.
Guardiola won 14 trophies during his four seasons as Barcelona manager, including Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011. The former Barca player and manager helped shape the current identity and style of the Spanish club, but now he works to find the same success in Munich.
“Everyone understands how special this game is for me, for [midfielder] Thiago and my staff,” Guardiola said. “Barcelona was our life. Barcelona is my home.”
Guardiola took over following Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign in 2013, capped by a Champions League trophy.
Barcelona arrives in the final four following an impressive beat down of Paris Saint-Germain by an aggregate score of 5-1. Luis Suarez grabbed a brace in the first game to add to Neymar's opening strike, then Neymar bagged himself two goals in the second leg. Neymar's first in the second tie finished off a spectacular weaving run from Andres Iniesta.
Bayern Munich’s quarterfinal was not as smooth against Portuguese side Porto. The Bundesliga leaders fell behind 3-1 in the first leg, creating doubt about the club’s ability to progress. However, Bayern stormed back in the second leg, scoring six goals to earn their semifinal berth with a 7-4 aggregate win.
The best of the six goals from Tuesday may be this wonderful team goal finished off by Robert Lewandowski.So when the two clubs face off in a couple of weeks, who will move on to the final?
Prediction: Barcelona progresses 2-2 on away goals
Barcelona features arguably the most devastating front three in the world with Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. The Catalan giants scored five goals in the quarterfinals without Messi adding his name to the scoresheet.
Messi currently boasts 46 goals in all competitions this campaign, so look for the Argentine to come out firing in the home leg of the semifinal.
On the other side, Bayern Munich conceded four goals, including three away from home, against an underdog Porto side. Munich will need to shore up defensively right away to ensure it doesn't face another uphill battle when the side returns to the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich also hopes for some luck on the injury front as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are both currently unable to play. Their return could be a major boost.
This matchup looks to be a thrilling display of passing, possession and attacking skill.
Juventus v Real Madrid
The Old Lady returns to its first Champions League semifinal since losing to AC Milan in the tournament's climax in 2003.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid looks to be the first club to win the Champions League title in back-to-back years since switching to the competition's current format in 1992. Juventus has not won the competition since 1996.
Real Madrid rolls into the semifinal hot off an intense matchup with local rivals Atletico Madrid, following Javier Hernandez’s late goal to put Los Blancos up 1-0.Wednesday's victory was the first time Real Madrid beat Atletico, in nine attempts, since last year’s Champions League final. Juventus comes into the draw after defeating French-side Monaco on aggregate 1-0, with the only goal coming from a penalty by Arturo Vidal in the first leg.Both the management and the fans of Real Madrid place a lot of pressure on Ancelotti, but the calm, cool and collected genius continues to perform under the spotlight.
Similar to Barcelona, Madrid progressed without their global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scoring. Look for the Ballon d’Or winner to get back on the scoresheet in this tie.
At the same time, a 1-0 victory may not look all that impressive, but the club was forced to deal with significant absences in the second leg of the quarterfinal. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric all missed the game due to injury, and suspension forced Marcelo to remain on the sidelines.
Juventus’ stout defense will be tested by the high-paced attack of Madrid’s front three. And Andrea Pirlo’s age may finally show when he faces the young legs of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Isco or Modric.
Wins for Barcelona and Real Madrid would have Spanish fans, as well as neutral fans around the world, salivating for a Clasico matchup in the UEFA Champions League final—marking the first time the rival clubs face off in the tournament's climax.
In the current campaign, the clubs split the season series with a win apiece in the La Liga fixtures. Real Madrid won the match in October 3-1, while Barcelona came out on top 2-1 in March.
Messi and Ronaldo would serve as the two main talking points for the final given the matchup, but Ancelotti's future as the manager of Real Madrid would be an intriguing backdrop to the final in Berlin.
However, each team has two legs remaining to determine who will face-off at the Olympiastadion. Let's take a quick look at the two intriguing semifinal fixtures.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola will be under the spotlight throughout both legs as he returns to Barcelona for the first time since leaving the Camp Nou after the 2012 season.
Guardiola won 14 trophies during his four seasons as Barcelona manager, including Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011. The former Barca player and manager helped shape the current identity and style of the Spanish club, but now he works to find the same success in Munich.
“Everyone understands how special this game is for me, for [midfielder] Thiago and my staff,” Guardiola said. “Barcelona was our life. Barcelona is my home.”
Guardiola took over following Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign in 2013, capped by a Champions League trophy.
Barcelona arrives in the final four following an impressive beat down of Paris Saint-Germain by an aggregate score of 5-1. Luis Suarez grabbed a brace in the first game to add to Neymar's opening strike, then Neymar bagged himself two goals in the second leg. Neymar's first in the second tie finished off a spectacular weaving run from Andres Iniesta.
Bayern Munich’s quarterfinal was not as smooth against Portuguese side Porto. The Bundesliga leaders fell behind 3-1 in the first leg, creating doubt about the club’s ability to progress. However, Bayern stormed back in the second leg, scoring six goals to earn their semifinal berth with a 7-4 aggregate win.
The best of the six goals from Tuesday may be this wonderful team goal finished off by Robert Lewandowski.So when the two clubs face off in a couple of weeks, who will move on to the final?
Prediction: Barcelona progresses 2-2 on away goals
Barcelona features arguably the most devastating front three in the world with Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. The Catalan giants scored five goals in the quarterfinals without Messi adding his name to the scoresheet.
Messi currently boasts 46 goals in all competitions this campaign, so look for the Argentine to come out firing in the home leg of the semifinal.
On the other side, Bayern Munich conceded four goals, including three away from home, against an underdog Porto side. Munich will need to shore up defensively right away to ensure it doesn't face another uphill battle when the side returns to the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich also hopes for some luck on the injury front as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are both currently unable to play. Their return could be a major boost.
This matchup looks to be a thrilling display of passing, possession and attacking skill.
Juventus v Real Madrid
The Old Lady returns to its first Champions League semifinal since losing to AC Milan in the tournament's climax in 2003.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid looks to be the first club to win the Champions League title in back-to-back years since switching to the competition's current format in 1992. Juventus has not won the competition since 1996.
Real Madrid rolls into the semifinal hot off an intense matchup with local rivals Atletico Madrid, following Javier Hernandez’s late goal to put Los Blancos up 1-0.Wednesday's victory was the first time Real Madrid beat Atletico, in nine attempts, since last year’s Champions League final. Juventus comes into the draw after defeating French-side Monaco on aggregate 1-0, with the only goal coming from a penalty by Arturo Vidal in the first leg.Both the management and the fans of Real Madrid place a lot of pressure on Ancelotti, but the calm, cool and collected genius continues to perform under the spotlight.
Similar to Barcelona, Madrid progressed without their global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scoring. Look for the Ballon d’Or winner to get back on the scoresheet in this tie.
At the same time, a 1-0 victory may not look all that impressive, but the club was forced to deal with significant absences in the second leg of the quarterfinal. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric all missed the game due to injury, and suspension forced Marcelo to remain on the sidelines.
Juventus’ stout defense will be tested by the high-paced attack of Madrid’s front three. And Andrea Pirlo’s age may finally show when he faces the young legs of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Isco or Modric.
Wins for Barcelona and Real Madrid would have Spanish fans, as well as neutral fans around the world, salivating for a Clasico matchup in the UEFA Champions League final—marking the first time the rival clubs face off in the tournament's climax.
In the current campaign, the clubs split the season series with a win apiece in the La Liga fixtures. Real Madrid won the match in October 3-1, while Barcelona came out on top 2-1 in March.
Messi and Ronaldo would serve as the two main talking points for the final given the matchup, but Ancelotti's future as the manager of Real Madrid would be an intriguing backdrop to the final in Berlin.
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