A LOOK INTO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL CLASHES

The UEFA Champions League semi finals are set for later this month and early next, as Chelsea vs Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain vs Man City as predicted by everyone.

All the four finalists rank amongst football biggest spenders, led by “new money” Man City and PSG. Real Madrid, of course, helped set the standard for huge transfer fees and salaries through their Galactics movement and Chelsea splashed loads of fee this summer to bring in exceptional qualities before a managerial change shows their real quality. 

Another fact is that all four teams have at least a member of reigning World Cup winners in France. Man City has Benjamin Mendy, Chelsea can boast of N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud, Real Madrid has Raphael Varane, and PSG deploys Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe.

PSG v Man City Schedule

First leg, 3pm ET April 27 — PSG v Man City Second leg, 3pm ET May 4 — Man City v PSG

PSG is three points behind Lille with just a half-dozen matches left, plus has at least one more French Cup match on its fixtures. Man City might have its league status on lockdown as the champions elect, but its quadruple status means four elimination matches including a final in their next six fixtures.

Real Madrid v Chelsea

First leg, 3pm ET April 27, Real Madrid v Chelsea. Second leg, 3pm ET May 4 Chelsea v Real Madrid

Real Madrid is set in the top four but sits just one point ahead of third-place Barcelona and one behind leaders Atletico Madrid, while Chelsea has an FA Cup semifinal on Saturday and very uncertain top four status. The Champions League is therefore a potentially pivotal lifeline to the 2021-22 UCL. Chelsea will be looking once again to put his name on the much coveted trophy after doing so once in th 2011/2012 seasons.