In the quest for an unprecedented second Champions League triumph in a row Bayern face a tough but thrilling challenge in this season’s semi-finals after Pep Guardiola’s men were drawn to play old foes Real Madrid. Just as in the previous round, the holders have been handed the slight advantage of playing the decisive second leg at their home Allianz Arena.
Should FCB overcome Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Co in the fifth semi-final meeting between the famous clubs, they will meet the winners of the second last four clash between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea in the final on the penultimate weekend in May.
Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded Real team currently lie third in La Liga, three points off city rivals Atletico with six games to play. Iker Casillas and his team-mates overcame Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last four, winning the home leg by a comfortable 3-0 margin but losing 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park and coming perilously close to squandering their first-leg advantage. FCB last met Real in the 2011/12 semi-finals with Munich triumphing on penalties in Madrid after 2-1 home victories in both legs of the tie.
Chairman: It’ll be tough
“All Bayern and Real fans can justifiably look forward to a fantastic clash. We’ve been drawn to play one of the best clubs in the world and their fantastic team. Both games will be incredibly tough, I can confidently say that in advance,” FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told FCB.tv in an immediate reaction to the news.
Friday’s draw at the Swiss headquarters of European football’s governing body in Nyon was made by UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino and former Portugal superstar Luis Figo. Bayern were represented by Paul Breitner and board director Andreas Jung.
In the semi-finals, Bayern take on the La Liga club at the legendary Bernabeu on Wednesday 23 April, before the return at the Allianz Arena just seven days later on Tuesday 29 April. In the second semi-final, Atletico are at home to Chelsea in the first leg. This year’s final takes place at Benfica’s Estádio do Sport stadium in Lisbon on 24 May, where FCB would nominally be the away team should they overcome Real.
Champions League 2013/14 semi-final draw in full:
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
(To be played 22/23 April and 29/30 April)
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