Juventus, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in Champions League semis
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There are no easy opponents for FC Barcelona in Friday's draw - the three other qualifiers have won the trophy a combined total of 17 times
FC Barcelona have one further hurdle to get over if they want to be in this season’s Champions League Final. The semi-finals draw in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday at 12.00pm CET will reveal who stands between them and a place in Berlin. Last season’s winners Real Madrid, Italian champions Juventus or Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich will be the opposition in games scheduled for May 5/6 and May 12/13.
Real Madrid
There’s a potential Champions League clásico in store, which would be a repeat of the clash between two of the most famous rivals in world football at the same stage in 2010/11, when Barça drew 1-1 at the Camp Nou and won 2-0 at the Bernabéu. This year, the two sides are already locked in a contest for the Liga title, and that battle could now be transferred to the European stage as well. Carlo Ancelotti’s side qualified for the last four on Wednesday night by beating city rivals Atlético Madrid 1-0, after the first leg at the Calderón had ended without score.
Juventus
Of the four teams left in the competition, Juve is the only one that hasn’t been crowed European champion since the turn of the century, their last triumph coming in the 1996 final against Ajax. In fact, this is their first semi-final appearance since 2002/03. Managed by Massimiliano Allegri, the ‘old lady of Turin’ finished second in their group, and then beat Borussia Dortmund and Monaco in the knockout stages. Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci, Lichsteiner and Tévez have played in every game of the European campaign.
Bayern Munich
Bayern were in trouble after losing 3-1 to Porto last week, but they eventually stormed through with a 6-1 defeat of the Portuguese side at the Allianz Arena (6-1). After also beating Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0 in the knockout stages, and with the likes of Neuer, Müller, Ribéry, Lahm, Robben, Lewandowski and Schweinsteiger in the side, the Bavarians are firm candidates for the title. If they draw Barça, it would mean an emotional return to the Camp Nou for Pep Guardiola, and also for Thiago Alcántara, who is performing well now he’s returned from injury, scoring in both legs of the quarter final.