The UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final stage begins this week as different European top clubs will compete for a spot in the final.
The first leg fixtures will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the return leg fixtures are next week, where fans and pundits alike are likely to see shock upsets.
There are 4 teams – Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal – that will play in the last-4.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that only two teams out of the four will qualify for the final stage, taking place on 30 May.
Here are the fixtures for the Champions League semi-final first leg:
Tuesday’s fixture:
PSG vs Bayern Munich: Both teams are in good form in the competition so far. PSG head to the game after beating Angers 3-0 in the French Ligue 1 encounter, while Bayern Munich defeated Mainz 4-3 in the Bundesliga. The Parisians eliminated Liverpool in the quarter-final stage, while the Bundesliga champions sent Real Madrid packing from the competition.
It’s yet to be seen which team will come out on top at the Parc des Princes, Paris, on Tuesday night when the first leg encounter is concluded, as Luis Enrique’s side will hope to count on their home supporters and get the job done against the Bavarians. The kick-off for PSG vs Bayern is 8 pm, Nigerian time.
Wednesday’s fixture:
Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal: This match will take place at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, at 8 pm Nigerian time. Atletico Madrid qualified for the Champions League semi-final stage after beating LaLiga rivals Barcelona in the quarter-final stage, while Arsenal eliminated Sporting CP from the competition. Of course, Atletico will hope to make good use of their home advantage against the Gunners.
Diego Simeone’s side head to the game after beating Athletic Club 3-2 in the LaLiga at the weekend, while the Premier League North London club defeated Newcastle United 1-0 in the Premier League will hope to build on their last result when they face Atletico on Wednesday night in Spain.
Lawal said, “At this stage of the competition, I would say the men have been separated from the boys.
“Arsenal, Atletico, Bayern and PSG have all been brilliant since the competition started this season.
“They all put in an outstanding performance in the quarter-final to get to the semi-final stage, and in this stage of the competition, anything can happen because the four teams are all in form and in good shape.”
When asked to predict the first leg of the Champions League last-4, Lawal simply said all the fixtures are “50-50 chance.”
“To be honest, it is difficult to predict at this stage of the competition. The four teams are doing well this season. So, I would go for a 50-50 chance for the semi-final matches because any of the four teams can make it to the final,” he said.