Let's find out what all the teams possess in their arsenal.
The 'FAB 4' of European Football by all standards this season will slug it out for the chance to line up in Wembley for this year's UCL final. All four teams have equal chances of hoisting the most coveted trophy in European club football.
REAL MADRID
'La Decima' is the aim and once again, Jose Mourinho has qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League for the 3rd straight year. A fantastic achievement worthy of praise. This time however, failure to at least reach the final will be seen as a major letdown by all those associated with the Capital club. Cristiano Ronaldo has once again carried the team on his shoulders. His 11 Champions league goals is the highest he has ever scored in this competition since his debut for Manchester United. He became the 3rd player ever to score 10+ goals in 2 Consecutive seasons after Messi and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos sat out the 3-2 defeat at the Turk Telekom Arena through suspension, but are expected to return for the double header v Barcelona, Bayern or Dortmund. Real Madrid know all about these three teams. In the last two seasons, they have encountered all of them and most recently defeated Barcelona twice in four days. It seems Mou has found the strategy to beat Barcelona. Bayern Munich and Dortmund have been successful against the Merengues and the Borussens won 1, drew 1 in the Group Stages of this season's campaign. Real would want to avoid Barcelona to maintain hopes of an EL CLASICO final. Any of the two German teams will be just fine.
Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp is trying to make up for what has been an appalling season for the Schwarzgelben. They relinquished the Bundesliga crown to Bayern Munich last weekend in what has become the earliest time the German League trophy has been won. Being 20 points behind Bayern and eliminated by the team in the DFB POKAL is a terrible pill to swallow. They have switched attention to the European cup and were within 3 minutes of bidding farewell to the tournament until a stroke of luck and some astonishing decisions sent Pellegrini's Malaga packing. Mario Gotze and Marco 'Rolls' Reus are elated to say the least. A shot at ultimate glory is two steps away and they are determined to give it their all. Robert Lewandowski scored his 6th UCL goal in the Malaga game. The man who has scored in ten consecutive League games is the main attacking threat for the 2nd placed team in the German top flight. Dortmund will of course want to avaoid Bayern and Barcelona and favour a match-up against Real Madrid whom they have beaten previously. Might be unpropitious.
BAYERN MUNICH
No one will doubt Die Roten's title credentials. The 23-time German Champions have been almost impeccable this season. In the year 2013, only Arsenal have won against them. The dismissal of Juventus sent a clear statement to other aspiring winners that the Munich based club want their 5th European trophy at all costs. The bitter taste of last year's defat in their own home is still in the mouths of all those connected to the Bavarian outfit. Anything but a win will be seen as a step backwards. Jupp Heynckes lost all three trophies last season and wants to make amends. One is in the wraps, the other two are withing sight. Bastian Schweinsteiger proved yet again that he can mix it up with the best Deep Lying playmakers in the World last night when he kept Andrea Pirlo quiet for much of the game. He himself was phenomenal throughout. Another excellent performance by the German Machine. Mario Mandzukic will not be available for the 1st leg of the semi-final after he picked up a needless booking in yesterday's game. Gomez or Pizarro will take his place. The latter has scored 5 goals in his last three games in all competitions. Bayern will also want to avoid Dortmund and Barcelona. Real Madrid will be good news for the Reds.
BARCELONA
The best team in the World were saved from elimination by a Pedro pile driver after the introduction of 4-time Ballon D'or winner, Lionel Messi. El Pulga;s entry into the field of play galavanized the Blaugrana and it was no surprise when Barca scored barely minutes after his arrival. He is on eight goals (3 behind CR7). It will take the bravest of men to bet against him winning th golden boot for the 5th straight year anyways. He is the highest goal scorer in League play anywhere in the World with 43 La Liga goals. Andres Iniesta is the most brilliant footballer in the World in my opinion. His football is more enjoyable than sex. One skill yesterday sent me shivering for minutes. If Barca are to go all the way, Iniesta yet again must come good in both legs. Tito Vilanova will not want to play Real Madrid yet after recent disappointments. Any of the German teams will be welcomed with open arms. Barcelona are 2nd favourites after Bayern to win the Competition. The Catalans defence is very shaky and that could be their greatest downfall.
The draw for the SEMI-FINAL will be done tomorrow and the matches are scheduled for 23/24 April and 30/1 April/May. It will be a riveting scenario.
Ohireime P Eboreime
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