And then there were four.
With the quarter-finals out of the way, the Champions League has officially gone into heavyweight. No more stragglers, just four teams with a real chance to win Europe’s ultimate prize: Chelsea, Man City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The semi-final 2020/21 is set ✅
??? Who will reach the final in Istanbul❓ # UCL pic.twitter.com/W7KUOm1uah
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 14 April 2021
The difference from the last eight to the last four is quite dizzying. In the quarters, the attitude is very relaxed. However, find yourself in the semifinals of a Champions League, and suddenly there is an insight of “hang on, we can actually win this, you know”.
So, with two weeks to wait until the big night, 90min has ranked each remaining side on their chances of success.
ft. WE ARE FOR THE #UCL SEMI-FINALS! #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/EmX9uf7377
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2021
A team must be ranked last, but Chelsea is by no means a weak link or a page to write off.
Since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, the blues have suddenly taken advantage of an incredibly talented list that actually also has a serious depth – the key to a knockout competition.
Their somewhat safe passage to the semis is a double-edged sword, but that means they are not yet to be properly tested in the knockout stages. They can find their focal point in Real Madrid.
A professional job from Real Madrid to advance Liverpool – Zidane is a knockout specialist in the Champions League! ? pic.twitter.com/N1AN9WIfht
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) 14 April 2021
The first half of Real Madrid’s season saw them look good out of the La Liga title race and scraped through the teeth of the Champions League group stage.
Since the turn of the year, however, Zinedine Zidane has galvanized his side and pushed through Atalanta and more impressive Liverpool, without a number of key players.
The loss of those names could ultimately hurt them, but Zidane’s tactical pragmatism and this newfound struggle within the Real squad mean they must be seen as a real threat.
You simply can not write off a page that has won four Champions League in five years; that knowledge of competition is unmatched. Also keep in mind that Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and even Eden Hazard will be back this week, and that’s a lot.
These two are bags of fun | Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
Frankly, it feels absurd to place last season’s finalists somewhere lower than the top list, especially considering that they just knocked out last season’s winners.
But while Les Parisiens has a front three that would strike fear for every defender and the health of their ankles, there is an air of mortality about them.
Managed by Mauricio Pochettino, PSG’s league form still stems and the pool of more experienced managers can only capture him. Football heritage is a force to be reckoned with.
#UCL SEMI FINAL LOADING
? #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/TdLoEFFUwc
– Manchester City (@ManCity) April 14, 2021
Seriously, what more does Manchester City need to go further and win the Champions League?
There was once a case that suggests no premiere Sergio Aguero was doomed, but Pep Guardiola has essentially stormed into the Premier League by playing with different players in a false nine role all season.
Tactical superiority, a manager who knows how to win the competition, without a doubt the best midfielder and squad depth on the planet and the motivation to still not have won the competition.
This year, it must be Citys, for frankly, how many better opportunities do they get?
