Actual Madrid should work laborious if they’re to retain their Champions League trophy this season.
After an underwhelming league section despatched them into the play-offs, many felt Madrid’s time within the competitors may have ended there, however now confidence is sky excessive following an emphatic victory over Manchester Metropolis.
After Friday’s final 16 draw, this is a take a look at Madrid’s path to the ultimate.
Issues do not get a lot simpler for Madrid, who’ve the small matter of two Madrid derbies to contest within the final 16.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect might be at dwelling for the primary leg towards Atletico Madrid, who may have the benefit of a feverish Metropolitan crowd for the return fixture.
If Madrid make it out of the derby, they are going to doubtless stumble upon Arsenal, who’re heavy favourites to beat PSV Eindhoven of their final 16 tie.
With all of the switch hypothesis linking Gunners centre-back William Saliba with a transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, the narrative for this one virtually writes itself.
One other English heavyweight might be mendacity in wait within the semi-finals. Liverpool are among the many favourites to win this complete match, however they don’t seem to be the one risk on this aspect of the bracket because the Reds have a final 16 tie towards Paris Saint-Germain to look ahead to.
Liverpool received after they confronted Madrid within the group stage earlier within the season, however Madrid had the final snigger when these two sides met within the 2017/18 and 2021/22 finals.
Membership Brugge and Aston Villa are additionally among the many doable opponents.
There’s a mouthwatering chance that the Champions League last may play host to El Clasico, with Barcelona among the many favourites to emerge from a comparatively easy aspect of the bracket which additionally consists of Bayern Munich.
Madrid could be out for revenge towards Barcelona, who’ve humiliated them twice already this season. Ancelotti’s aspect fell 4-0 in La Liga and 5-2 within the Supercopa de Espana last. They aren’t because of meet once more till Could 11, simply three weeks earlier than the ultimate of this competitors.
Whereas Barcelona and Bayern are the heavy favourites from this aspect of the bracket, there are six groups seeking to trigger an upset: Feyenoord, Inter, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Benfica.
