Battle lines are drawn. Opponents have been revealed, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League fixtures are out. In the Europa League, FC Fenerbahce will take on S.L. Benfica at home, while FC Basel will take on Chelsea FC in the second semi final. The matches will be on 25th April and return leg on 3rd May.
While in the UEFA Champions League, league favorites FC Barcelona will take on FC Bayern Munich in what is supposed to the best of the semi finals. Bayern will be playing at home. While in the second leg, it is the surprise package Borussia Dortmund who will take on Real Madrid. The fixtures are set on 23rd/24th of April and return leg on 30th April/ 1st May. Also announced is that the winners of Semifinal 2 (i.e. winners of Dortmund vs Madrid) will be playing as the home side on the grand finale at Wembley Stadium.
In the first semifinal, Barcelona would start as obvious favorites but given the recent form in which they are playing, Bayern has a strong chance in this match. With Messi sidelined, the task is getting enormous for the Catalan Giants. But Bayern has no so ever concern over anything. Their defence isn't leaky, their midfield is well orchestrated and the attack is butter smooth and in top form, while Barcelona's injury problems are looming large. Only hope is to get as many of them fit. Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi are the major highlights.
In the second semifinal, its Borussia Dortmund who starts as favorites. Their attack lines have been really impressive and they will be on high confidence after trumping Real Madrid in the group stages. With Mats Hummels return to full fitness, Real Madrid will be posed a lot of troubles, but the 9 time champions are no punching bags. They have been in red hot form especially in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, hence wouldn't be any sort of pushovers.
All in all, at the 25th of May when two elite teams among them would feature, lets only hope that good football triumphs.
Article by
Ajeesh Janardhanan
(Die hard Barcelona fan)
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