Bayern Munich are back in the Champions League semi-finals. Here’s a look at their three potential opponents: Liverpool, Roma and Real Madrid.
One German, one Italian, one Spanish and one English; there are four teams left in the Champions League, each from a different nation. Thanks to their 2-1 victory on aggregate over Sevilla, Bayern Munich are the German representatives of the group. Interestingly, they’re also the only club left in the competition who are at the top of their league, having already wrapped up the Bundesliga title.
Does that make them favorites? Perhaps, but not conclusively. The competition heading into the penultimate round of Europe’s premier competition could certainly be more intimidating. But then again, just like Bayern Munich, no team got to this point by accident.
No matter wjo they face in the next round, die Roten are in for a stern test. Here’s a look at each potential competitor Bayern could be drawn against in the Champions League semi-final.
AS Roma
Eusebio Di Francesco’s men reached the semi-finals after a historic comeback against Barcelona. After going down 4-1 to Messi and co. at the Camp Nou, Roma rallied to a 3-0 victory in the return leg at home, winning the draw on aggregate thanks to their away goal.
It’d be easy to say Roma are the weakest team left in the competition, but at this point no club can be labeled as “weak.” After all, their win over Barcelona was both convincing and well-deserved.
They have one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in the world in Alisson. The 25-year-old Brazilian has been immense between the sticks for Roma this season. Outside of him, their defense is good but not necessarily the best. The same can be said of their midfield and attack. They have a few talented players — Edin Dzeko and Radja Nainggolan, for example — but no real superstars. Then again, that’s part of what makes them great. They play as a team.
They’re sitting at fourth in Serie A, tied with cross-town rivals Lazio on points but behind them on goal differential. They’re only one point ahead of Inter Milan, who are fifth in the league. That Roma are still heavily involved in another competition could be a hindrance to their Champions League endeavors. Actively fighting for their place in Italy’s top four means they can’t quite fully focus on Europe.
Should Bayern Munich draw them, the Bavarians will be seen as definite favorites and would be optimistic about advancing to the final. But they would have to be wary of over-confidence, lest they suffer a calamitous exit at the hands of the Romans like Barcelona.
Liverpool FC
“Heavy metal” soccer is back. Not at Borussia Dortmund, but at Jurgen Klopp’s new club: Liverpool FC. The Reds defeated former Bayern coach Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City pretty handily across the two legs.
They were particularly impressive in their 3-0 home win over the Sky Blues. They managed to get the job done in the second leg (albeit with a little — okay, a lot — of help from the officiating crew), after looking far from their best in the first half.
Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane form a devastating attack force, but Liverpool’s defense and midfield still leave much to be desired. If Bayern were to draw them for the semi-finals, the Bavarians would surely be seen as favorites for the tie.
However, Liverpool’s tenacity and passion can be a menace for even the best clubs. And grabbing any points at Anfield is no easy task.
With Jupp Heynckes back at the helm of Bayern Munich, though, the squad has become much more solid defensively. Counter-attacks still tend to be a problem, but if anyone can prepare this defense to deal with Klopp’s high-octane play, Osram is that guy.
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Real Madrid
Death, taxes, Real Madrid benefiting from controversial referee decisions. Some things in life are inevitable.
I kid.
All jokes aside, Real Madrid narrowly escaped embarrassment at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s late penalty to send his side through 4-3 victors on aggregate over Juventus.
As long as los Blancos are in the Champions League, they’re strong contenders for the title. The Galacticos have lifted the trophy for the past two seasons. Despite their shortcomings in La Liga, Zinedine Zidane’s men always step up when in the European limelight.
But Bayern Munich have some unfinished business with the Madridstas. It was the Spanish giants who knocked the Bavarians out of the competition in the quarter-finals last season (well, it was mostly the refs who knocked Bayern out, but ya know. . . Again, joking. . . Kinda).
If the two sides face in the semi-finals, Bayern Munich will be out for revenge. Real Madrid have recently found their form, though. They’re already well out of the Spanish title race, so the Champions League is all they really have left to play for.
A draw between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid would be huge. Both clubs are fully dedicated to the competition and would no doubt step up big time in the semi-final clash. It’d be a mouth-watering clash between two European giants, both eager for the Champions League throne.
Next: Bayern Munich to sign Jann-Fiete Arp if Hamburg are relegated
Bayern’s path in Europe so far this season has been relatively easy. No matter who they face in the Champions League semi-final, the club will have to be at their absolute best if they want to book their ticket to Kiev.