After the elimination earlier in the week of Monaco and PSG last French clubs involved on the European scene, the time was now in the draw on Friday at noon Nyon (Switzerland) on the premises of the UEFA. And logically, it gave birth to two explosive semi-final: FC Barcelona-Bayern Munich and Juventus-Real Madrid. The first legs will take place on 5 and 6 May, the return is scheduled on 12 and 13 May
for Homecoming Pep Guardiola
Less than two years after his arrival in Bavaria, Pep Guardiola is preparing to cross for the first time the road of any club his life, this time in the skin of the opponent. Trained in the Masia, he later became the captain and coach of Barça. In four seasons at its head (2008-2012), he managed to win 14 of the 19 competitions in which the club was committed. With the passage, two Champions League titles (2009, 2011).
The reunion will be the theme of this shock Barca-Bayern. The last time these two teams faced, it was also in the semifinals of the C1, in 2013. A largely won by the Bavarians confrontation, 7-0 on two legs, which had led on the end of a cycle among Catalans. Barca, which was easily rid of PSG in the quarterfinals, then playing in his eighth half in 10 years. His stratospheric attack suggests no defense in the world can resist it … but Bayern has a substantial tactical arsenal and a large workforce that could make the weight. Between two teams who focus their game on the possession, the key could be in the hands of two coaches who know each other well, Luis Enrique to one side, Pep Guardiola on the other teammates at Barça between 1996 and 2001.
Clasico in the final?
The other semifinal Juventus to Real Madrid, with the first leg in Italy. Present in the last four of the competition for the first time since 2003, the Old Lady will have to raise its level to hope to reach the final. Much less serene in the quarterfinals against Monaco (1-0, 0-0) than it was facing Dortmund (2-1, 3-0), it may find Paul Pogba, wounded to the Germans and which may be recovered in time for the shock. Already almost Champion Series (15 points lead in the 7 days of the end), it will play the final of the Italian Cup next June 7 against Lazio. What have the mind turned to 100% to this explosive semifinal.
Defending champions Real Madrid will start favorite against Juventus. Merengue, who play their fifth semi-final place, however, will have to play front semi-final with the title race in La Liga. Winner of the Atlético in the quarter (0-0, 1-0) despite many absentees to return, the Real is a candidate to succeed himself. It will be recalled that in 2005 he had been the law of Turin in 8th finals (2-1, cumulative score) after a goal by Zalayeta 4 minutes from the end of the extension.
Between these four clubs who have between them 21 Champions Leagues, indecision will be total. A final Real-Madrid-FC Barcelona, which would be a first in the history of the Champions League is still possible and should fuel the fantasies of football lovers in the coming weeks. Note that the draw for the Europa League was also performed. Naples will face the Ukrainians Dnipropetrovsk, while the defending champion, Sevilla, will challenge Fiorentina.
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