This article was first published 13 years ago

CL: Real, Chelsea look to book semis berth

Last updated on: April 4, 2012 11:31 IST

Image: Goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid dives for a ball during a training session
Photographs: Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Real Madrid and Chelsea look set to join Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals when they complete their last eight ties at home to APOEL Nicosia and Benfica respetively on Wednesday.

Barring what would be the greatest upset since European club soccer began in the 1950s, Real will advance and face Bayern after winning the first leg 3-0 in Cyprus last week.

Real coach Jose Mourinho, bidding to become the first man to lift the European Cup with three clubs after successes with Porto and Inter Milan, said he plans to field a strong side out of respect to APOEL, the first Cypriot side to make an impact in European club competition.

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Image: Didier Drogba of Chelsea shakes hands with Roberto Di Matteo during a training session
Photographs: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Chelsea also start as favourites to win their quarter-final against Benfica albeit with the tie more finely balanced, though the London side are in command after winning the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon last week.

Chelsea, who are set for their sixth semi-final appearance in the last nine seasons, will face holders Barcelona in the last four if they do see off their Portuguese opponents as expected.

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