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Champions League Semi-Finalists Close In On Title Match

Champions League Semi-Finalists Close In On Title Match

The UEFA Champions League semi-finalists are within touching distance of the tournament’s final, which will be held in Milan at the end of this month. But before the teams descend on the San Siro for the title match, the finalists need to be decided.

The second leg of the semi-finals take place this week, with Manchester City taking on Real Madrid, while Bayern Munich face Atletico Madrid.

We take a look at Tuesday and Wednesday’s matches.

Atletico make their way to Germany

Atletico Madrid will aim to defend their 1-0 first leg lead when they travel to the Allianz Arena in Germany for a showdown with Bayern Munich. The illustrious and industrious Germans know how to win matches and overturn first leg deficits at home, and will count on their home support for a boost.

Atleti will not be pushovers, however, and they have proven numerous times this season what a stubborn defensive side they can be when necessary. They would do well to make attack an important part of their game plan on Tuesday night, as a completely defensive mentality could see them thwarted by the Germans, but a focus on counter-attacking football may work in their favour.

Both Champions League semi-finalists are itching to qualify for the title match, as Atleti look to achieve vengeance if they meet Madrid Derby rivals Real in the final, while Bayern will be hoping to extend a long line of successful runs in the competition with another shot at the trophy.

There is also the possibility that Bayern go through to face fellow Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City in the final, which would be particularly interesting for Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, who will be on the Citizens bench next season.

From an injury perspective, the Germans will be without the services of Arjen Robben and Holger Badstuber, while Atletico are missing Tiago.

Real Madrid ready to break Man City hearts

A goalless stalemate in the first leg in Manchester would have been a disappointing result for the Citizens, as they now need to get a positive result away to Madrid on Wednesday.

A win or a score draw at the Santiago Bernabeu is an unlikely result, considering the fact that it is a fortress for the Galacticos on most matchdays, but Man City know that this will be their only hope of progressing to a first ever UEFA Champions League final.

The goalless result from the first match leaves the second leg wide open, but with the Madrid players enjoying home advantage, they will be favourites to reach the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo failed a late fitness test last week, and was not able to feature due to his injury, and he remains a doubt this week as a result of his hamstring problem. Karim Benzema is in a similar boat, with his hamstring problem forcing him to face a late fitness test.

David Silva will not have the opportunity to take part in Wednesday’s second leg in Madrid, as the Man City midfielder pulled his hamstring over the weekend, and four-time African Player of the Year Yaya Toure is a doubt, but may still feature if he proves that his muscular problem is behind him.