'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the last four finalised, the draws have been picked to select the two teams who will face-off against each other in Kyiv - and it will be Bayern Munich taking on Real Madrid at home in the first leg, while Liverpool will tackle giant killing AS Roma at Anfield.
As the teams step into this crucial stage of the season where they have to balance domestic hopes with European ambitions, it will not be the case this year for the four teams - they are either comfortably out of the title race or have already secured the title. We have on our hands four matches of insane intensity.
That being said, here's a look at the four teams and how they have fared in the competition so far.
Trending
#1 Real Madrid
Even the staunchest of Barcelona supporters cannot say that Real Madrid had it easy this year! After a route that consists of matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund, APOEL, Paris St. Germain and Juventus, Los Blancos will now be firm favorites to defend their crown.
Even though they have been pitted against Bayern Munich, it is the best case scenario - it is always better to face them over two legs in which you can come up with a plan than a single leg where anything could happen.
With Captain Ramos returning, their defensive woes should be resolved and it will be a long time before they start conceding 3 goals again.
Even more advantageous for the Spaniards is their history - both in the competition and their general inclination to come alive at this stage of the season.
The major problem for Madrid will be James Rodriquez who they loaned out to Bayern in favor of holding on to Isco. With James in blistering form for the Germans, and as it most often happens on the football field, karma might just be around the corner.
But then again, when you have Cristiano Ronaldo, there is not a lot that can scare you. Madrid also relish playing at the Allianz Arena, and while the draw could have been easier, they will still be favorites to travel to Ukraine for the final.
#2 Liverpool
After dismantling Manchester City twice over the course of two legs, Jurgen Klopp's side is yet to return to earth from their high, and frankly who can blame them?
They got the easier draw in the form of AS Roma, but as Barcelona learned the hard way, there is no easy draw in the Champions League. The advantage for Liverpool will be that they have the first draw at home and a devastating result in that leg could ease off the pressure relatively.
Liverpool also have no domestic troubles to bother them - Chelsea are far behind them ( 10 point gap) in fifth on the table, Liverpool are almost assured of a top-4 finish.
With Arsenal having drawn Atletico, their chances of winning the Europa League and thereby forcing the team with the fourth place finish to play a qualifier in the next season are diminished. Liverpool can relax and focus all their resources right on the CL.
A major concern for them though will be injuries - their back-line is down to just two centre-backs and they will look to avoid further reduction in their depth with these important matches coming up.
#3 Bayern Munich
After a disastrous start to the campaign, the German champions are back on track both domestically and in the CL - after having won the Bundesliga title already, they face off against Real Madrid in a repeat of last year's fixture.
They had it easy in their previous two fixtures - first against Besiktas and then against Sevilla, this will be Bayern's first real test in the competition. Unfortunately for them, it has to be against a team that loves real tests.
They eventually had to have beaten a big team in the final anyway and this will be a chance for their new coach - Niko Kovac from Stuutgart - to see what his team is capable of and also for Jupp Heynckes to go out with a bang.
Bayern do not play against teams in the Bundesliga that threaten as effectively as Real Madrid and they will find it a very difficult task, especially considering their effectiveness in the air.
As Juventus exhibited, their best course of action will be to attack and try to score more than they concede. It is not that big of a task when Lewandwoski, James and Muller are all in form. With Javi Martinez back in midfield too, this is a team no one would like to take on. Well, except Real Madrid of course.
#4 AS Roma
Wait, what?
For those of you who are still not over that shock, AS Roma did beat Barcelona in the quarters and will face off against Liverpool in the semifinals.
Unlike Liverpool though, AS Roma are in a serious fight for the fourth place with Inter Milan and Lazio (and maybe even Milan) but there is no way they will just ignore this competition after what they did in the quarters.
Roma have been doing pretty well against big teams so far - a 3-3 draw and a 3-0 win against Chelsea in the group stages are yet another example of this fact. They also beat Napoli recently 4-2 away from home and will be looking forward to the game against Liverpool.
No offense to Liverpool, but an attacking team like them was the best possible draw for Roma, and they will be generally happy with this fixture. They can sit back, let Liverpool tire themselves out and catch them on the counter.
While the chances of them making the finals are still bleak, anyone counting them out will have to do so at their own risk. There is no way they can overturn a 3 goal deficit, right?
