The draws for the semifinals of the Champions League and Europa League have been conducted today (April 21, 2017). The CL semi draw has pitted both Madrid sides against each other and Juve’s reward for eliminating Barcelona is a semi against the tournament’s surprise packages AS Monaco.
Champions League semifinals 2016/17 (Teams on the left host first leg) May 2/3 and May 9/10, 2017
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Monaco v Juventus
Europa League semifinals 2016/17 (Teams on left host first leg)- May 4/11, 2017
Ajax v Olympique Lyonnais
Celta Vigo v Man Utd
There are no German sides at this stage of either the Champions League or the Europa League- the first time since 2004/05 that its happened. Lyon, Manchester United and Celta Vigo have never won the EL and have never reached the last four of the competition either.
The winner of the Europa League gets an automatic spot in next season’s Champions League. None of the four semifinalists were winners of their respective leagues last season.
To be honest atletico madrid is scarring me so much this semi-finale.
On the surface of it, it looks like Manchester United have a relatively good shot at making the finals, with their encounter against Celta Vigo. This is not to say that the Spaniards are mugs with the ball. They are good, but may not be able to withstand United given the extensive experience they have in Europe.
Meanwhile, the lip licking clash is the two Madrid sides locking horns. I’m personally looking forward to that a lot. The bottom line is that this set of matches look rather exciting, especially more so at the business end of the season!