The semifinal draw of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League took place at Nyon, Switzerland today.
Defending champions and 12 times winner of the UEFA Champions League Real Madrid is one of the teams in the semi-finals. This is Real’s 8th consecutive semi-final appearance in the tournament in as many years. They have won the trophy 3 times in the last 4 years and were the first team to win back to back UEFA Champions League.
5 times champions Bayern Munich and Liverpool are the other two teams, while AS Roma is the fourth team in the semis of the tournament after pulling off a miracle at Rome in the quarter finals against Barcelona this week.
It is Zidane’s men who will have the uphill task of playing against the German Champions Bayern Munich yet again in the knockout stages of the tournament. The last few matches between them have been full of drama and have seen Real getting the better of the German champs. The first leg of the tie will be played at the Allianz in Munch while the return leg will be at the Bernabue in Madrid. Real Madrid will once again look up to their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who is at the moment in a heat streak in the tournament. Ronaldo have already put forward 9 goals against Bayern in the Champions League. The Bavarians have been reignited after the appointment of temporary manager Jupp Heynckes. The side from Munich will look to end their losing streak against Real Madrid and will look to lift the trophy at Kiev for the 6th time in the club’s history.
The other semi-finals will see Liverpool’s player of the season and a Ballon d’Or contestant, Mohamed Salah take on his former club AS Roma. Both teams have been dormant in the tournament for a long time. While Liverpool will look to lift their 6th Champions League trophy, AS Roma will be high on confidence after their performance against Barcelona this week and will look to get their name on the trophy for the first time. The first leg of the tie will be played at Anfield.
Europa League Draws:
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid.
Marseille vs Salzburg.