With UEFA Champions League quarterfinals over, it's time to take inventory of what we've learned about the teams that comprise one of the more competitive semifinal quartets in recent memory. Our final snapshot is of José Mourinho's Real Madrid.
After facing the most difficult Round of 16 opponent possible (Manchester United), Real Madrid had a relatively easy ride in the quarterfinals. Though Tuesday's leg in Istanbul provided more drama than José Mourinho wanted, there was never any doubt Los Merengues would advance to their third consecutive semifinal.
That streak may not be seem that long, but before Mourinho arrived in the summer of 2010, Real had developed a bit of a Champions League curse. Sitting on a record nine European titles, El Real had gone six years without making the quarterfinals, eliminated in the Round of 16 at each stop every year from 2004-05 to 2009-10. Now a run to the far end of the Champions League bracket seems like an indelible right. Again.
Friday, April 12 – Semifinal matchups drawnTuesday, April 23 – Leg one, semifinal oneWednesday, April 24 – Leg one, semifinal twoTuesday, April 30 – Leg two, semifinal twoWednesday, May 1 – Leg two, semifinal oneSaturday, May 25 – Final (London)
Via: [Soccer Live] Sporting Covilha - SL Benfica B - Portuguese second League
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