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Champions League: Bayern face Real Madrid in semis, Chelsea play Atletico

Last updated on: April 11, 2014 16:28 IST
UEFA Champions League Trophy

Defending champions Bayern Munich will face nine-time champions Real Madrid  in the semi-finals as they attempt to become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League title. 

The Spanish team will play the first leg on home turf, the Santiago Bernebeu, as they attempt the elusive La Decima [tenth Champions League crown]. 

In the other last four clash, Atletico Madrid, finalists in 1974, will face 2012 champions Chelsea, the former playing at home first.

The first legs will be played on April 22-23, and the second on April 29-30.

The draw for the semi-finals took place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday. 

Meanwhile, in the Europa League the first semi-final will be an all-Spanish affair between 2004 winners Valencia against two-time champions Sevilla.

The other last four clash pits Italian champions and 1977 winners Juventus against former European champions and last season's finalist Benfica. 

The final will be played at the Juventus stadium in Turin.

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Bayern on course for a second successive treble

Last updated on: April 11, 2014 16:28 IST
Bayern Munich team celebrates the win over Manchester United

A schoolboy lapse in concentration and a bad miss by Wayne Rooney wrecked Manchester United's hopes of causing a huge Champions League upset against holders Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

When United went ahead in the quarter-final second leg with a spectacular Patrice Evra strike after 57 minutes it seemed an improbable victory was possible but they seemed to be still celebrating when Mario Mandzukic headed the equaliser 22 seconds after the re-start.

Even then Rooney missed a gilt-edged chance but there was no way back after that as Bayern eased away to a 3-1 win with Thomas Mueller and the influential Arjen Robben both on target for the hosts who were never totally convincing.

Bayern's 4-2 aggregate win kept them on course for a second successive treble.

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Real Madrid survived Dortmund onslaught

Last updated on: April 11, 2014 16:28 IST
Real Madrid players celebrate a goal

Cristiano Ronaldo watched helplessly from the bench as Real Madrid scraped into the semi-finals by edging past a revitalised Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-0 defeat.

Two first-half goals by Marco Reus, both coming from Real mistakes, gave Dortmund a deserved lead as the Spaniards, who had a penalty saved in the 17th minute, were left mesmerised by the Germans' frantic pace on a rainy evening in the Ruhr valley.

Real, with top scorer Ronaldo left among the substitutes resting a minor knee injury, saw their 3-0 lead from the first leg in Madrid almost evaporate in a disastrous first half after Reus struck in the 24th and 37th minutes for the home side.

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Atletico upset Barca to end a 40-year wait

Last updated on: April 11, 2014 16:28 IST
Atletico Madrid players celebrate a goal

Having already lost playmaker Arda Turan to a groin problem, there was more bad news for Atletico Madrid before the kick-off when top scorer Diego Costa, who strained a thigh muscle in the first leg, failed to make the squad.

No Diego Costa, no worries for Atletico.

Koke scored early, and it was the only goal of the night against Barcelona.

It was the first time in seven years that Barça failed to reach the last four of the Champions League.

They were unable to cope with a fired-up Atletico in the opening 20 minutes of the second leg quarter-final.

Atletico turned in a brilliant defensive display, almost scoring several times on the counter-attack, to claim their place in the last four of Europe's elite competition for the first time in four decades. 

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Mourinho, Chelsea on the right track

Last updated on: April 11, 2014 16:28 IST
Chelsea players celebrate the win against PSG

Super substitute Demba Ba slided home Chelsea's second goal to secure a semi-final place.

Ba bundled the ball home in the 87th minute to secure a 2-0 win in the quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge that sent the London club through after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Jose Mourinho's touchline dash after Chelsea scored the goal that clinched their Champions League semi-final place said it all.

Mourinho was not prepared to waste a moment securing the win against PSG as he stayed on course to become the first man to lift the European Cup with three different clubs after his triumphs with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010.