The Champions League has reached the last-four stage, with two semi-finals that promise to be fascinating encounters.
Here are the two semi-final clashes happening over today and tommorow.
Giallorossi looking to pull another shock
Tonight Liverpool host Roma at Anfield, as the visitors attempt to pull off another shock result after eliminating Catalan giants Barcelona in the last round.
Liverpool produced two fantastic displays against newly crowned English champions Manchester City to beat them 5-1 on aggregate. In fact, Jurgen Klopp’s side has a decent record in the Champions League, 14 games unbeaten. The Reds have also won six of their last eight games in Europe’s elite competition. Meanwhile, they are also unbeaten in seven European games at Anfield.
A key to that good form has been the Merseysiders eye for goal, as they have scored two or more goals in seven of their last European outings. The home side’s goalscoring prowess contributes to the Merseysiders being favourites to win this clash.
Roma made it through to the semi-finals after a 3-0 home win over Barcelona saw the Giallorossi through to the last-four on the away goal rule.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side has been highly inconsistent in the Champions League of, having won three and lost three games in this competition. The visitors have a poor recent away record in this competition, winning just once in their last 15 away games in Europe’s elite competition. The Giallorossi have also suffered three straight defeats on their travels in the Champions League. The visitors will just be hoping to stay in this clash into the second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
Two European giants clash in Munich
Two of the most successful clubs in the history of the European Cup meet on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich rather scraped past Spanish club Sevilla to win 2-1 on aggregate. A goalless draw in the second leg of the clash ended a seven-game winning run in the Champions League. The game also saw Bayern draw a rare blank in the competition, as the Bavarian giants at scored at least two goals in their previous seven European outings.
Bayern’s home record at the Allianz Arena in Europe’s elite competition is formidable, as they have lost just once in their last 22 home outings, recording 20 wins in the process. However, that one defeat was against the visitors in last season’s competition.
Real Madrid made it through to the last-four courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate defeat of Italian giants Juventus but needed a last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to win the tie. A 3-1 defeat against Juventus in the second leg of that tie saw a five-game winning run come to an end for Los Blancos. Zinedine Zidane’s side had also previously scored at least two goals in those five consecutive victories.
Los Blancos are dangerous opponents on their travels. The team from the Spanish capital have won eight of their last ten games on their travels, including their last three away games in the Champions League. The visitors have also been prolific on their travels in Europe’s elite competition, scoring at least two goals in 11 of their last 12 games on the road. This clash will be a big test of that record.
Who will win the Champions League semi-final first legs?