Previewing the 4 Champions League 2013 semi-finalists

The cards have been picked, the draw has been made and Spain is going to face Germany in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League this summer. The already-crowned German champions will face-off against their soon-to-be-crowned counterparts from Spain, while the Special One’s men will face the German dark horses for the second time this season. Let’s have a look at each of the teams.

Semi Final #1 – FC Bayern München vs FC Barcelona

1. FC Bayern München –

The Germans have been outstanding this season, having literally raced to the title, and are now looking at a record number of points in the league. With the league title in their pocket, Bayern can concentrate entirely on their European dreams, having failed to cross the final hurdle in 2010 against Inter, and last year against Chelsea on their home soil. They will look to keep the embarrassing 2^nd leg defeat at the hands of a brilliant Arsenal in the round of 16 out of their heads as they take on the mighty Catalans for a place in the finals. Winner of four European Cups, with the most recent triumph coming in 2001, Bayern will be looking to hoist the German and the Bavarian flag at Europe’s elite competition.

2. FC Barcelona –

The Messis, the Xavis and the Iniestas will be looking for their 3^rd European crown in five years, after what has been a very successful domestic season. A double-digit lead over their closest rivals in the league has almost sealed their Spanish title. Their European campaign, however, has been a bit jittery. Having seen off AC Milan in the pre-quarters, thanks to a stunning turn-around in the 2^nd leg, the Catalans could not defeat the new rich kids on the block, PSG. It took a half-fit Messi to inspire Barcelona to a late home draw. Though they have reached the semi-finals for the sixth straight year, it will be an uphill task for them to thwart the Germans’ challenge.

Only one man would not have wanted this draw – Pep Guardiola. It has become an ethical choice for him to choose between his former club and his future club. His being on neutral territory now has created an even stronger dilemma for the Spaniard. A Spanish newspaper has rightly put it as “Pep’s semi”!

Coming back to the article, either of these two teams have been the European finalists for the past four years, with Barcelona winning both times and Bayern being unlucky on both occasions. It remains to be seen what fate holds for them this time around.

Semi-Final #2- Real Madrid C.F. v/s Borussia Dortmund

1. Real Madrid C.F. –

Los Blancos have been waiting for their tenth European title – a first – and have been waiting for it for ten years now. Jose Mourinho has helped Real to their third successive semi-final, and will be hoping to go that extra mile this time. They have not been so fortunate in the domestic competition, having almost conceded the title to the Catalans. Mourinho would want compensation for that and what better than that elusive European trophy. Though Real have enjoyed a nice run in the Champions League, they have had their fair share of troughs. As if a controversial victory against Manchester United was not enough in the pre-quarters, Los Blancos let Galatasaray pump three goals past them in what resulted in a rare defeat. They still advanced though, thanks to the first leg win. If Mourinho manages to win, he will be a step closer to winning three Champions League with three different teams, and lay his claim to the title of one of the greatest managers of all time.

2. Borussia Dortmund FC –

The underdogs among all the four semi-finalists, Dortmund will go out on the field with a point to prove. Winners of the past two German league titles, they were completely overshadowed by Bayern this time. With ’97 being their only triumph in Europe, Dortmund will be looking to turn the tables on Real, again, against whom they won and drew a match apiece in the group stages. Having qualified for the semis due to a remarkable turnaround in the dying minutes of their encounter with Malaga, Borussia will be looking to make the most of it. As they have already lost the league comprehensively to Bayern, this remains their only chance for silverware this season.

Having been ousted by the other two semi-finalists in the previous two editions, Real will be hoping to advance at the cost of their German opponents. Mourinho will hope for a different outcome this time and should learn from his previous experience with the Germans. Incidentally, it was Dortmund who Madrid defeated in the semi-finals en route to their ’98 European triumph. About Dortmund, you can call them ‘underdogs’ or you can call them ‘dark horses’. But the bottom line is, the same three teams were the semi-finalists the last time, and it was Chelsea who triumphed. We can see a similar script this time around.

The first legs will be played on April 23^rd-and 24^th, both in Germany. The return legs will be played on April 30^th-and May 1^st in Spain. The final will be played on May 25^th at Wembley. The winner of the Dortmund-Real tie has been designated as the home team for the final. Now that would make for awkward viewing for the English.