Who’s headed to the San Siro on May 28? We’ll know by the close of business on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are varying degrees away from the UEFA Champions League final, with Tuesday and Wednesday semifinal second legs on tap for this week.
[ MORE: Bayern promises “fireworks” vs. Atleti ]
The first legs were tight yet unspectacular, with just one goal scored between the pair of contests. That came from Atleti, and it was a home goal at the Vicente Calderon.
Bayern Munich vs. Atletico Madrid -- 2:45 p.m. ET Tuesday
Atleti won first leg 1-0
Saul’s phenomenal goal -- watch it here -- puts the onus on Pep Guardiola’s Bayern to keep a clean sheet or win by multiple goals. That’ll be quite a challenge against Diego Simeone’s stout defense, one that’s allowed 2 or more goals on just six occasions across all competitions this year. Half of those came against Barcelona.
The good news for Pep and Co.? Bayern’s good at both ends of the pitch and has the firepower to break through. The Bavarians have only been blanked in two UCL matches this season, against Arsenal and last week versus Atleti.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City -- 2:45 p.m. ET Wednesday
First leg ended 0-0
Man City avoided giving up a road goal to Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real in the first leg, but the Portuguese superstar looks likely to return and is a far more productive player in front of the Bernabeu faithful (whether cheering or whistling).
Man City has scored UCL road goals at PSG, Dynamo Kyiv, Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach, only blanked at Juventus, though their road record is far less impressive in the Premier League. Can City give Manuel Pellegrini a measure of revenge against his old employers?
