It’s beginning to get real in Europe as the UEFA Champions League comes to an end. With the semi-finals just around the corner, we’ll take a look at what the grid looks like and what we can expect. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and a surprisingly dangerous Villarreal complete the semi-final grid. The trophy awaits a champion and fans anxiously expect the last few games of the most exciting sporting competition in history.
The semi-finals get started on April 26 and here is what the grid looks like.
Villarreal vs. Liverpool
The reigning Europa League champions, Villareal, took care of Bayern Munich 2-1 on aggregate. Unai Emery’s side is flying high after only allowing the German giants to score one goal in 180 minutes of football. This will be the second time Villarreal will feature in the semi-finals of the UCL after the 05/06 side ended their run with a loss to Arsenal. Likewise, this year, Villarreal will face English opposition Liverpool. Liverpool ended Benfica’s run in the quarter-finals with a 6-4 aggregate score. Jurgen Klopp’s side is currently alive in all of the three competitions they have left. Having already been awarded champions of the EFL Cup in England, Klopp and company dream of taking all four trophies back to Merseyside.
Liverpool will have to be alert. After beating Bayern, Villarreal looks like a threat to any side still alive in the competition. With incredible pace from Samuel Chukwueze and Arnaut Danjuma, they will certainly look to counterattack as much as possible. Although anything is possible, odds are definitely on Liverpool’s side. The Reds have enough weapons in their arsenal to end Villarreal’s cinderella run.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid has proven itself against intense opposition in each round of the playoffs. After beating PSG, Madrid took care of reigning UCL champions Chelsea in the quarter-final. The back and forth game ended 5-4 in aggregate in favor of the 13-time UCL champions, Real Madrid. Karim Benzema has been arguably the best performer all season in the top leagues. His 12 goals have turned into wins as the Frenchmen and Madrid set out to win a record-setting 14th title.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City stands in their way. The Catalan manager had an incredible spell coaching Barcelona from 2008-2012 and today has become the first manager to reach nine UCL semi-finals. During his Barça spell, Guardiola spoiled Madrid’s dominance in Spain winning 14 major trophies, including two UCL titles. Now at City, Guardiola has built a squad capable of winning any major tournament. With plenty of options and diverse playing styles, City will be able to adapt to whatever Carlo Ancelotti and Madrid decide to throw at them.
