UCL Road To Kiev Final: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

These two European giants seem to meet in the knock out stages quite often. With this being their 25th meeting, it is now the most played tie in Champions League history. Last season, it was Madrid that emerged victorious over the two-legged quarterfinal affair, and they will again rely on the sensational form of Cristiano Ronaldo to provide the decisive edge for them. Bayern, however, have been consistently good since the arrival of Jupp Heynckes this season. He knows how to get the best from his best players and Muller and James, in particular, have performed better under his management. With the Bundesliga already wrapped up for Bayern, they have had the luxury of rotating their better players. Madrid have also engaged in such rotations, albeit because the deficit is so large between them and Barcelona in first place in La Liga. Real Madrid are one knockout tie away from a third final in 3 years. Zidane deserves massive credit for managing what has always been a demanding Madrid job to deliver Champions League success twice in two seasons. Having been to a record eight straight semi-final ties, Madrid will feel that the final in Kiev is theirs to arrive at.

Bayern have lost their last three semi-final ties, however, they had won the previous four. Madrid have won their last two semi-final ties, however, they lost 5 of the previous 6.

Jupp Heynckes may prove to be Bayern’s luck charm having always won the competition whenever he previously coached in it. Two previous victories; one when he previously coached Real Madrid in 1997-98 and the other one during his last season as Bayern coach.

Lewandowski has been subject to increasingly consistent rumors that a move to Madrid will be on the horizon in the summer. Cristiano has been the in-form player of this Champions League campaign with a number of decisive goals and an unprecedented streak of scoring in every single CL game. Which player will prove to be more influential during this tie?

James will be playing against his former teammates after being loaned out to Bayern this season. Having lost favor with Zidane, James has found a new lease on life in Munich and will certainly be extra motivated.

UCL Road To Kiev Final: Liverpool vs Roma

Key Stats

• Sixth European meeting between Liverpool and Roma and the first since March 2002. Liverpool (W2, D2, L2) & Roma (W1, D2, L2)

• Liverpool's 10th appearance in the semi-final of the European Cup/Champions League. They've progressed to the final seven times in nine trials, losing only in 1964-65 against Inter Milan and in 2007-08 against Chelsea.

• Roma are appearing in their first European semi-final for 27 years when they faced Brondby in the Uefa Cup in 1990-91. The last match was against Dundee United in 1983-84 whom they beat to set up a Liverpool final

• Roma have won just one of their past 14 away Champions League games (D5 L8), a 2-1 win at Qarabag earlier this season.

• Liverpool have not won the first leg of a European semi-final in any of their past seven attempts (D3 L4), since a 4-0 win over Panathinaikos in the European Cup in 1984-85.

The first of the final stop before the UEFA Champions League final will be a tantalizing encounter between Liverpool and Roma. Both teams are full of belief after they kicked out Barcelona and Manchester City who have dominated their respective leagues and are inevitable winners of the double domestic trophies. Mohamed Salah is expected to be the center of attention because of his outstanding season and more so as he welcomes his former teammates to Anfield. The coaches believe that it is more than the tactics or star players that will see them through.

Liverpool boss has urged the Merseyside fans to come in full voice and try to create a special atmosphere around the Anfield, specifically to try and beat the outstanding support they gave in the quarter-finals against Manchester City. In as much as Klopp once the 12th player behind them, he does not want to witness a repeat episode of the violent bus incident instigated by the Liverpool fans against Manchester City. He has urged the fans to respect Roma. Roma’s Eusebio Di Francesco has admitted that English clubs create memorable atmospheres when they get behind their teams but has since affirmed that their fans are also behind them. Liverpool is expected to field stick to the line-up which beat the English Champions, Manchester City, with Oxlade Chamberlain, Trent Alexander Arnold, Firmino, Lovren, and Robertson expected to return after being rested over the weekend. Roma’s Diego Perotti could return after being sidelined for three weeks while Rick Karsdrop and Gregoire Defrel are set to miss out with an injury. Aleksander Kolarov, Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi who sat out in Roma’s 3-0 win over the weekend are also expected to be in for the Giallorossi.

Managers’ Remarks

"Against Barcelona, we played as a team, we did not focus on Lionel Messi, and by playing in this way we can achieve great things. It is not about stopping one player. Liverpool are not only Salah, they have a number of good players." - Eusebio Di Francesco

"They have a full squad available. They have different options offensively, a strong defense, the wingers or wing-backs are strong, it all looks settled, fit and experienced.

"It's a semi-final which is a big thing for them like us. You will see two excited teams and that's good for football." - Jurgen Klopp

Who will gain the advantage in the first leg?