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The
attention of world's football media zeroed in on Nyon, Switzerland this Friday,
anticipating the Champions League quarter and semifinal draws. Eight clubs from seven countries have made it
through – some as familiar faces, others as Cinderella stories.
Cinderella story APOEL FC have proven to be formidable opponents this season, proving that Cypriot football can "play with the big boys" at such an elite level. It is safe to say that not many fans would have predicted them making it this far to the last eight. They topped Group F including UEFA Europa League holders FC Porto, Russian champions FC Zenit St. Petersburg, and last year's quarterfinalists FC Shakhtar Donetsk. They will face La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, who have cruised through Group D, having won seven from eight games, at home in the first leg of quarterfinals.
Cinderella story APOEL FC have proven to be formidable opponents this season, proving that Cypriot football can "play with the big boys" at such an elite level. It is safe to say that not many fans would have predicted them making it this far to the last eight. They topped Group F including UEFA Europa League holders FC Porto, Russian champions FC Zenit St. Petersburg, and last year's quarterfinalists FC Shakhtar Donetsk. They will face La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, who have cruised through Group D, having won seven from eight games, at home in the first leg of quarterfinals.
Perhaps
having more to prove than APOEL is FC Bayern München, with the final being
played at home at the Fußball Arena München
(Allianz Arena). They need
no more incentives. The German side will
face Olympique de Marseille in an away match before traveling home for the
second leg.
It
appeared as if England would have no quarterfinalist representation for the
first time since '96 at one point during the Round of 16, but Chelsea FC made a
rousing comeback against Napoli to make it to this draw. The Blues will face Portugal's SL Benfica,
who have not appeared in the quarterfinals since 2006, away from home at the
Estádio da Luz in Lisbon for the first leg.
AC
Milan finished second to Barcelona in their group and will have to face the
Spanish giants yet again, the opening leg at San Siro. While Barça trails Madrid by ten points in La
Liga, they look as sharp as ever in Europe.
The
first legs of quarterfinals will take place March 27/28, returning legs one
week later April 3/4. The first legs of
semifinals are scheduled to take place on April 17/18, while the returns follow
a week later on April 24/25.
The
draw for semifinals sets up a possible Clásico final in Munich to on May
19. But finals are far away and it could
be anybody's game.
Quarterfinals 27/28 March and 3/4 April
QF1 APOEL - Real Madrid
QF2 Marseille - Bayern
QF3 Benfica - Chelsea
QF4 Milan - Barcelona
Semifinals 17/18 and 24/25 April
SF1 Marseille/Bayern - APOEL/Real Madrid
SF2 Benfica/Chelsea - Milan/Barcelona
Final 19 May, Munich
Winner SF1 - Winner SF2
written by Gail Hidalgo
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