UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Analysis

On Friday 21st April 2017 UEFA conducted their continual Champions League knockout stage draw, preparing to select the fixtures for the semi finals. Real Madrid, Juventus, Monaco and Atletico Madrid are the outfits ready to go head to head for a chance at lifting Europe’s most prestigious trophy at club level. Wales all time leading goal-scorer and Liverpool legend, Ian Rush made his way to the stage accompanied by UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti. Rush drew out the names of the competitors one by one, and the fixtures resulted as follows.

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid 2016/17

Position: 1st (Spain)

Manager: Zinedine Zidane

Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Casemiro

Atletico Madrid 2016/17

Position: 3rd (Spain)

Manager: Diego Simeone

Key Players: Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco, Jan Oblak

One of Europe’s most tantalizing fixtures in the past half a decade, these two sides not only lock horns in their league clashes pushing for La Liga silverware, but have also faced each other in two of the last three Champions League finals in years 2014 and 2016. Real Madrid emerged victorious on both occasions, firstly completing a 4-1 victory after extra time in Lisbon, 2014. This fixture didn’t come without its drama though, requiring a 93rd minute header from Sergio Ramos to claw them from the brink of defeat and drag them back into the tie. Before goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched of a tiring Atletico Madrid. In 2016 it was even more heartbreak for Atletico at the San Siro as they suffered yet another gut wrenching defeat at the hands of their cross-town rivals. They took Real Madrid all the way to penalties after the scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time. Juanfran then sent his decisive penalty rattling off the frame of the goal, before Ronaldo made no mistake to ensure Real Madrid lifted their second UCL crown in three years.

In domestic competition Real Madrid have been the far more convincing of the two sides since they first met in the 1928 Copa Del Rey with 86 wins to Atletico’s 39 accompanied by 35 draws as well. In recent years though, Atletico have proved to be the far more formidable side in their bouts in La Liga. From their eight clashes in the last four seasons Atletico have won 4, whereas Real Madrid have won 1, along with 3 draws. In these past four seasons Atletico also won the league title in 2013/14, whereas Real Madrid haven’t won a league title since 2011/12.

The two legs of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-finals prove to be yet another series of ferocious, competitive and jaw dropping football as we’ve seen all so often. Both provide the obligatory solidarity at the back, accompanied by an emphatic cutting edge going forward, to make the place in the Final their own. With this being said, Real Madrid’s Champions League success in 2014 and 2016, as well as their current position on top of La Liga has them appearing favourites to secure a place in the Champions League Final, although an upset is definitely not off the cards.

Monaco v Juventus

Monaco 2016/17

Position: 1st (France)

Manager: Leonardo Jardim

Key Players: Kylian Mbappe, Rademal Falcao, Kamil Glik

Juventus 2016/17

Position: 1st (Italy)

Manager: Massimiliano Allegri

Key Players: Gonazalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Leonardo Bonucci

The two sides don’t have the rich history evident in the Madrid Derby, but have come face to face four times in Europe’s elite club competition. The two sides faced off in the semi final of the 1997/98 season with Juventus progressing through to the final 6-4 on aggregate, before Madrid stopped them in their tracks in the final 1-0 at the Amsterdam Arena. Juventus dictated the first leg at home, 4-1, giving them one foot in the final before losing the travelling leg 3-2, but it wasn’t enough for Monaco. In more recent years the two sides also faced in the quarterfinals of the 2014/15 season. This time around the tie was open, up until the final whistle, only managing to progress through 1-0 on aggregate after the two legs. As a result from the four previous meetings, Juventus have won two bouts to Monaco’s one, with a solitary draw as well. From history, Juventus remain firm favourites to progress through to the final, but Monaco’s sheer determination displayed so far this season is enough to dismiss ruling them out just yet.

From the two sumptuous semi-final fixtures drawn, the footballing world can expect to see four sensational matches. From the two ties it’s hard to look past seeing a Real Madrid v Juventus final this year. Atletico and Monaco, however, have more than proved doubters wrong not only this year, but in years past as well. Whether it’s the relentless counter attacking football of Real Madrid, the defensive solidarity of Atletico, the breath of footballing fresh air that is Monaco, or the camaraderie and consistency that belongs to Juventus, this year the footballing world can expect to see a classic line up in the Champions League final.