LaLiga Santander’s remaining Champions League representatives both face tough tasks in their respective semi-finals, with Real Madrid and Villarreal coming up against two sides who both have claims of being the very best in the world on current form.
Los Blancos take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, while Villarreal will have to find a way to keep Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at bay if they are to continue their unlikely fairytale.
The two English sides will be confident of progressing and facing off in the Champions League final, which would only add to the legacy of what has become a modern classic in the genre of football rivalries.
Guardiola and Klopp have built sides that, in a world where they didn’t have to compete with each other, would dominate any of Europe’s top leagues. In the last three years, City have won two Premier League titles, with Liverpool briefly pipping them in 2019/20.
Their title races have been intense, and have drawn comparisons with those fought between Manchester United and Arsenal in the early 2000s, when Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s sides were at the peak of their powers.
Their recent 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium was one of the most thrilling games of the season. Earlier this camaign, they also drew 2-2 at Anfield, leaving nothing separating them in either meeting this term.
They’ll face off again this Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final. Liverpool have quadruple dreams as Carabao Cup champions, while City can still win a treble this season.
Source : Marca.com
