The Real Champs
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Analyzing Real Madrid’s possible opponents in the Champions League semifinals

BySachin Bhat|
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 6: Players of Real Madrid pose prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes stadium on March 6, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 6: Players of Real Madrid pose prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes stadium on March 6, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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As Real Madrid enter the semi-finals of the Champions League slip-shinned from the hiding given by Juventus, we analyze all the three possible opponents standing in their way of a third consecutive final!

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 11: Cristiano Ronaldo,
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 11: Cristiano Ronaldo,

Boy, that was absolutely bonkers!

From emphatically closing the tie in Turin to almost bottling spectacularly in Madrid, Los Blancos are into the semi-finals of the Champions League. And for the eight successive year; a record.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again made the difference as he nonchalantly dispatched a penalty in the eight minute of injury-time to seal progress, and put the kibosh on Juve’s hopes of a turnaround.

The reigning European champions may have had the last laugh in this pandemonium of a fixture, but things get murkier from here. This is where the rubber meets the road. And on current evidence, Zinedine Zidane’s troops are in for some really dreaded tests in the last four.

Ahead of the draw on Friday, let’s delve through the teams that Madrid could face in the semi-finals and what are the prospects against each of them:

AS Roma

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 10 : Players of AS Roma celebrate after the UEFA Champions League quarters soccer match between AS Roma and FC Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2018. (Photo by Claudio Pasquazi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 10 : Players of AS Roma celebrate after the UEFA Champions League quarters soccer match between AS Roma and FC Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2018. (Photo by Claudio Pasquazi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Whilst their name or stature doesn’t spell fear on paper, AS Roma proved by driving the mighty Barcelona out that they are no pushovers. Turning a 4-1 deficit on its head with a 3-0 vanquish of Messi and co. is no mean feat, but the Giallorossis have laid down the gauntlet with one of the greatest ever comebacks in the Champions League.

And it’s no fluke either. For they topped the group containing the likes of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, and also knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16 after going down 2-1 away from home in the first leg.

So Roma have reached here through sheer will and hard-work, surpassing all expectations; all odds. But that doesn’t mean they are contented and would fall back on their swords now. Manager Eusebio Di Francesco made it clear in the post-match press conference that they are no passengers here and would give it their all to reach Kiev showpiece.

Difficulty level: A

This is a vastly different Roma side from the one that Real Madrid comfortably defeated in 2016. More threatening, more robust and more resolute, the EDF-version of the team have development the temperament to take on the mightiest sides out there and as witnessed in Barcelona’s case, can even come away with a victory.

After such a fantastic campaign in Europe, the belief within the camp has only amplified. They fear nobody.

Key players to watch: Edin Dzeko, Daniel De Rossi and Kostas Manolas

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