The Champions League returned this week with the conclusion of four quarter-final ties – and delivered some of the best games in the history of the competition.
Liverpool booked their spot in the last four with a superb 2-1 win over Manchester City that saw them progress 5-2 on aggregate. It is the first time the Reds have reached the semi-final stage since the 2007/08 season.
On the same night Roma stunned Barcelona, pulling off a sensational second leg comeback that saw them win 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, meaning they progressed on away goals.
A day later and Juventus almost managed a similar feat against Real Madrid. 3-0 down after the first-leg, they led 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, only for a last-minute Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to send them crashing out.
And then there’s Bayern Munich, who have somewhat flown under the radar so far. They beat Sevilla 2-1 on aggregate just a few days after wrapping up the Bundesliga title.
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Liverpool have been handed a semi-final against Roma, while Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich face Real Madrid in the last four
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Liverpool have been drawn against AS Roma in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Reds came through an all-Premier League quarter-final against Manchester City, winning the first leg 3-0 at Anfield and the second 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Serie A side Roma produced a remarkable comeback to knock out Barcelona. The Italian team lost the first leg 4-1 in Spain, but progressed on away goals following a 3-0 home victory.
The other semi-final will be between European heavyweights Bayern Munich and holders Real Madrid, who needed a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to see off Juventus after the Italian outfit had come back from 3-0 down in the first leg to level the tie.
The first legs will be played on April 24/25, with the second legs on May 1/2.
Follow reaction to the draw LIVE with Standard Sport!
Live Updates
being able to handle the pressure when he comes up against his former side Roma in the Champions League. Here's Jurgen Klopp on Mohamed Salahwhen he comes up against his former side Roma in the Champions League. Mohamed Salah has made Premier League history today... The Egyptian winger has won his third Premier League Player of the Month award this term - the first time a player has won three such awards in a single season. here. Read more about Salah's achievements - and the record he next wants to break - Excitement is in the air at Melwood! Some reaction from Jurgen Klopp on the Roma tie:
"Because I knew I’d have to say something after it, I tried to think about what I feel, but it was not that I thought ‘Thank God not Bayern, thank God not Real Madrid, yippee Roma’ or the other way around.
"It is just the draw and I know it is very exciting, but it is good because the most important news is we are still in the competition. Whichever opponent we would have got, I would have said there is a chance because it is football – so there is a chance against Roma." However, Roma have lost their last six two-legged knockout ties against English clubs (W3 L6). We are definitely in for some match when Liverpool take on Roma! Liverpool were superb about Manchester City in the quarter-final round, but their record against Italian opposition isn't great. In fact, the Reds have only won one of their last six games against Serie A clubs (D1 L4). Some reaction now from Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes: Roma sporting director, Monchi, on drawing Liverpool in the semi-finals:
"It feels like a great opportunity to chase the joy that we were not able to experience so many years ago.
"But of course, it will be difficult because Liverpool are an extremely strong side.
"We need to think about ourselves, and try to reproduce what we were able to show against Barcelona." After Mohamed Salah won the Premier League Player of the Month award for the third time this season, a record, Sadio Mane has now been named the Champions League Player of the Week. It's pretty close when it comes to past meetings between Bayern and Real - with the Spanish side having won six, including the last two, of their 11 knockout ties while the Germans have five wins. A bit of history now between Liverpool and Roma: Some reaction to the Bayern Munich vs Real game, which apparently is the most common fixture in the knockout stages of the Champions League: Looks like Roma can't wait to be re-united with their former winger again: Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet can't wait to take on Roma and come up against his Belgian teammate Radja Nainggolan: Mohamed Salah against his former side... A quick look, now, at how these four teams booked their place in the semi-finals... Liverpool, of course, secured a 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City while their opponents in the last four, Roma, produced a stunning comeback to knock Barcelona out of the Champions League on away goals. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, edged out Sevilla 2-1 on aggregate while Real Madrid survived a second-leg scare by Juventus to advance 4-3 on aggregate. And there are your semi-final ties! Just a reminder about when these games will be played: First legs will be on 24/25 April and the return legs will be on 1/2 May. Who will be the home side in the final? Well, it'll be: Winner of semi-final 1 (Bayern Munich/Real Madrid) vs winner of semi-final 2 (Liverpool/Roma) Liverpool vs Roma So that leaves... Next
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