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Champions League Semi-Finals Preview: Who will make it to the final?

The UEFA Champions League season is heating up, with just two games to go before the final, and the four sides that remain still have everything to play for. Villarreal have shown brilliant character this campaign, Real Madrid have been back at their best under Carlo Ancelotti, whilst Liverpool and Man City are unsurprisingly leading their respective ties.

The first leg results have seen both British sides take the lead on aggregate. Liverpool swept Villarreal aside 2-0 and Man City edged past Real Madrid in a seven-goal thriller ending 4-3.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

The Santiago Bernabeu and the Los Blancos faithful will be playing host to Pep Guardiola’s Man City on May the fourth. Two great forces duelling to decide their Champions League fates. City are determined to win their first Champions League trophy and Real Madrid are looking for number 14!

The Story So Far

Both sides have been pitted against very strong opposition to get through to the semis. City shared a group with Paris Saint Germain and RB Leipzig, who combined to knock out Manchester United in the previous season. The blue side of Manchester fared much better than their rivals, qualifying for the last 16 in style by topping the group.

This set them up for two legs against one of Portugal’s top teams, Sporting Lisbon. City made quick work of the side in green, winning the tie in the first leg, with an emphatic 5-0 victory. Pep put his side on cruise control for leg two and the game ended goalless. The next fixture would prove to be much more difficult for City, as they drew Atletico Madrid. A side known for their heavy defensive antics and dirty play style.

Both legs proved to be tough work for Pep’s team. Just the one goal separated them across two legs, and it was a classic gritty UCL tie that was brilliant to watch for a neutral. This victory booked City’s place against Real Madrid in the semi-final.

Real’s journey to the semis was even more difficult than City’s. They drew the favourites PSG in the last 16 and many thought they’d crash out. Particularly after a dreary showing in the first leg, losing 1-0. The second leg was no improvement, but PSG were unable to put it to bed, leaving room for Karim Benzema to fire his side into the last eight. A quick fire hattrick from the Frenchman was enough, causing UCL heartbreak again for PSG.

Real then drew Chelsea and while the current holders gave them a strong run for their money, it was Karim Benzema that separated the two sides. An extra time header in the second leg knocked out the Blues from London.

Predicted Lineups:

Real Madrid C.F:

GK: Thibaut Courtois
RB: Dani Carvajal
CB: Eder Militao
CB: Nacho Fernandez
LB: Ferland Mendy
CDM: Casemiro
CM: Toni Kroos
CM: Luka Modric
RW: Federico Valverde
ST: Karim Benzema
LW: Vinicius Junior

It looks like Real Madrid will be without David Alaba, after he picked up a muscle injury in the first leg. This means it’s likely that we will see Militao and Nacho at centre half. I see Ancelotti sticking with the experience in midfield, despite having young talent Eduardo Camavinga available. Vini Jr and Benzema will keep their places and will be the source of goals for Madrid.

Manchester City:

GK: Ederson
RB: Joao Cancelo
CB: Ruben Dias
CB: Aymeric Laporte
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko
CDM: Rodrigo
CM: Kevin de Bruyne
CM: Berdardo Silva
RW: Riyad Mahrez
ST: Gabriel Jesus
LW: Phil Foden

Manchester City rested de Bruyne and Mahrez against Leeds, so it’s almost certain that the pair will start come Wednesday night. Mahrez caused problems for his opposing full back in leg one, his flair and combination play with teammates makes him a menace in these sorts of matches. His performance could be make or break for City.

Gabriel Jesus will keep his place. Despite being linked with a move away, he has been brilliant for City as of late. His ability to make space and poach goals is something that other players lack in City’s squad.

Who will make the final?

Arguably the toughest draw to call so far in this Champions League season, Real Madrid have proven critics wrong with impressive victories and will be looking to continue this form on and get to yet another UCL final. City, have everything to prove. They are the Premier League top dogs who have yet to call themselves European champions. Pep’s squad will be desperate to leave an even bigger legacy than they already have on the modern game.

Despite being underdogs, I believe Real Madrid will make it through to the final. It will be a close game and I can see it going to extra time, but that man Karim Benzema will be the difference maker again. As for the score, 3-1 Real Madrid.

Villarreal vs Liverpool

Liverpool will be travelling to Spain to visit the home of the ‘Yellow Submarine’ come Tuesday night. The Reds will be looking to win their seventh UCL trophy, equalling AC Milan’s record. Villarreal will be attempting to win their second European trophy in consecutive seasons after winning the Europa League last season.

The hosts are trailing 2-0 and will need to take the game to Liverpool in order to qualify. Waiting for something to happen just won’t cut it on a night like this. Jurgen Klopp’s in-game management will be tested greatly in this fixture. They will face relentless attacks from Villarreal in the latter stages of the game.

A Tactical Overview

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was a student of Ralf Rangnick and has adopted a similar ‘gegenpressing’ system. This involves high intensity pressing from the front of the pitch. Klopp has assembled near perfect personnel to execute this, as forwards Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Luis Diaz have the speed and endurance to constantly press their full-backs while the middle man Diogo Jota cuts the passing lines.

This means that Unai Emery’s Villarreal will need to be extremely quick when playing out from the back. The way that Emery sets up his side often offers a lot of support for his back line. He overloads the midfield with players who are both hard-working and great on the ball. The flair of Giovanni Lo Celso will be key in breaking through Liverpool’s strong midfield wall.

Team News

Villarreal have had a few injury concerns amid this fixture, Arnaut Danjuma was ruled out of their weekend clash at Alaves and Gerard Moreno is still recovering from hamstring issues and may only make the bench. If these two are ruled out, Liverpool will have even greater confidence to take the game to the Spaniards.

Former Liverpool man Alberto Moreno will once again miss the chance to face his former club, as a cruciate ligament rupture keeps him out for the foreseeable.

Liverpool’s squad remains in full fitness, with the only doubt being Roberto Firmino with a foot injury. This will be no issue for Klopp as he will still be able to field a full strength XI. The lack of injuries in the Liverpool camp is a breath of fresh air after their struggles last season.

Predicted Lineups:

Villarreal:

GK: Geronimo Rulli
RB: Juan Foyth
CB: Raul Albiol
CB: Pau Torres
LB: Pervis Estupinan
RM: Giovanni Lo Celso
CM: Etienne Capoue
CM: Dani Parejo
LM: Francis Coquelin
ST: Arnaut Danjuma
ST: Samuel Chukwueze

Despite the doubts surrounding Villarreal’s trusty front two, I think they will both be available, with Danjuma starting and Gerard Moreno from the bench. Their midfield and defence will remain unchanged from the side that lost at Anfield.

Liverpool:

GK: Alisson Becker
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
CB: Virgil van Dijk
CB: Ibrahima Konate
LB: Andrew Robertson
CDM: Fabinho
CM: Jordan Henderson
CM: Thiago Alcantara
RW: Mohamed Salah
ST: Sadio Mané
LW: Luis Diaz

Liverpool will produce a full strength XI, the lack of injuries in the squad has made it easier for Klopp to keep his best players fit and ready for the crucial fixtures. Konate and Alexander-Arnold were both rested, while Salah, Thiago and Fabinho only featured from the bench in their 1-0 win at Newcastle. It is almost certain that all of the above players will start for Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The thought of that lineup coming to town would send shivers down the spine of any side, but Villarreal will be up for the challenge. They have proven that they can compete with the biggest sides after knocking out Bayern Munich and Juventus on their way to the semi-final. Unai Emery’s side have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and everybody knows that that is a scary prospect.