UEFA Champions League 2016/17: Ranking the semi-finalists

Modified Apr 23, 2017 14:01 GMT

MONACO - MARCH 15: Kylian Mbappe of AS Monaco (29) celebrates as he scores their first goal with team mates during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) — *AS Monaco are the dark horses in this year’s UEFA Champions League semi-finals.*

#1 Real Madrid

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 28: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid of Real Madrid lifts the Champions League trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Club Atletico de Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) — *Real Madrid are favourites to become the first team to retain the Champions League.*

Traditionally, every team who has won the Champions League has struggled the following season and therefore no team has ever retained the title. However, if there was ever a team who have the ability and are in the position to do it, then it has to be Real Madrid this year.

Also Read: 5 reasons why Real Madrid will become the first team to retain the Champions League

Los Blancos are having a great season as they have their noses in front in the La Liga title race and their manager Zinedine Zidane has used his vast squad to great effect to balance the league and the Champions League, such that the capital club lasts the distance on both fronts.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s evolution into a centre-forward this year has definitely prolonged his career at the top and has helped Madrid as well with Karim Benzema misfiring and Alvaro Morata yet to stake a permanent claim for a starting berth. The rest of the team have contributed as well with their captain Sergio Ramos in imperious goalscoring form, having scored important goals throughout the season.

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 18, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — *Cristiano Ronaldo has reinvented himself as a centre-forward this season.*

In the Champions League, Real Madrid finished second to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage and then dug deep to see off Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli in the round of 16. They faced their favourite European rivals Bayern Munich next. Led by five goals from Ronaldo over two legs, the Blancos reached the semi-finals, where they are set to face fellow Madrid team Atletico for a spot in the final.

Real have come out on top the last two times these two teams met in the competition - the Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016. As a result, they definitely have the psychological edge and should consider themselves favourites to reach the final.

In the final, the match-winners in Zidane’s squad in the form of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Isco are a handful for either Juventus or Monaco. Further, given that this squad knows how to get it done, Real Madrid are hands down the favourites to win a record 12^th crown in the top competition in Europe.

Edited by Staff Editor