Semi life

After hundreds of millions spent on players, Manchester City can finally say they are in the European elite. Reaching the Champions League semi finals shouldn’t be undervalued. They were the only leading English club not to get to that stage. The club had been presenting themselves to break into the elite since the UAE takeover in 2009.

What happens next may tell us more about this status. Are they here to stay? PSG were disappointing and City didn’t have to do much to achieve a 2-2 draw in France. In earlier rounds they played.

But the likelihood is that they will play either Madrid teams, Barcelona or Bayern in the semi finals. Three of these teams have comfortably beaten City since 2010. Most commentators would expect a similar outcome. However with the semi final atmosphere and a new talisman in Kevin De Bruyne, there could be a closer outcome this year. City have beaten Bayern home and away in recent years, so perhaps this might be the best option.

Elsewhere Real Madrid overturned a two goal deficit and reached their sixth successive semi final. This is a great record of consistency driven by Ronaldo’s goals, although only once have they reached the final. The quest for undecima might not quite have the same obsession as the decimal, but given their lack of La Liga success, this is Real’s best trophy opportunity. With a new manager Zidane looking to repeat the 2002 win, they may be favourites.

The other major story from the quarters was the dumping of Barcelona by Athletico Madrid. This was a repeat of the 2014 quarter defeat, the only other time since 2007 (!) that Barcelona hadn’t reached the Champions League semi final. No team has ever retained the Champions League. The last team to do so was AC Milan in 1990, under the previous format. Having looked set for another treble, Barcelona have now lost 3 crucial games in 4 and their league position has become less certain.   

The draw today presents City with a tough game. Real Madrid are now coming into form having had a very mixed season.