CL semis: It’s Real-Bayern, Atletico-Chelsea

Titleholders Bayern Munich will face nine-time winners Real Madrid in a dramatic Champions League semifinal, which was drawn Friday. Surprise packages Atletico Madrid will take on 2012 winners Chelsea in the second semifinal. 

Bayern, who knocked out Manchester United on Wednesday, are aiming to become the first club to successfully defend the trophy in the 22-season Champions League era. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said the two leg clash should be the tournament final. 

‘The top two teams will play each other. ‘These games are worthy of being the final. You only have one goal when you are in the semifinal – to reach the final at all costs,’ said Lahm. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti forecast ‘a very difficult tie for us, but also for Bayern Munich’. 

The Italian added: ‘I think Bayern Munich are a great team. They have individual and collective quality and have had a great season. Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world and has a lot of experience. Bayern Munich could be the favourites, but our objective is to win the Champions league and if we want to win it we have to beat Bayern Munich.’ 

Guardiola’s German champions met Real in the semifinals in 2011/12. They won that match on penalties in Madrid before losing to Chelsea in the final. The continental superpowers have met five times in the semifinals in all, with Bayern winning four. 

While Bayern, seeking their sixth European trophy, are trying to reach their fourth final in five years Atletico are aiming to make it to their second, having been beaten by Bayern in the 1974 climax. 

The La Liga leaders’ reward for their stunning victory over Barcelona in the quarterfinal is a match up against former Real boss Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. The pair last met in the 2012 Super Cup with Atletico beating Chelsea 4-1. 

Mourinho is trying to win the coveted title for a third time with different clubs after Porto and Inter Milan. On the semifinal clash, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay he added: ‘They’re all fantastic sides. The important thing to us was to make sure we were in the semifinal. 

‘We need to make sure we are totally prepared for these games. I’m sure Jose will make sure we are but we have some important games before that.’ 

The Champions League first legs are on April 22/23 with the return legs on April 29/30. The final is in Lisbon on May 24. Europea League semifinal draw pitted Spanish duo Sevilla and Valencia against each other. The other semifinal sees Benfica of Portugal play Juventus of Italy with the semifinals to be be played on April 24 and May 1.