UEFA Champions League Semi-finals: A look at the big four

We’re only hours away from the start of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Both Tuesday and Wednesday night’s match-ups are sure to impress and will ultimately lead to an even more thrilling second round of games.

The four remaining clubs are all former Champions League champions and not a single one could be considered an underdog.

Just how great of a semi-final are we in store for? Let’s break it down.

Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona

1st in the Bundesliga vs. 1st in La Liga. 2012 runner up vs. 2011 champion.

Real Madrid vs. Dortmund

2nd in La Liga vs. 2nd in Bundesliga. Most goals scored in this year’s tournament vs. the only club of the 4 not to lose in this year’s tournament.

It doesn’t get much better than this, does it?

With all the clubs playing so successfully of late it’s nearly impossible to predict who will advance and who will falter.

Bayern has the most wins of the four teams, and is playing with the sting of a finals loss last year against Chelsea. The club has been unstoppable in its Bundesliga matches since the quarter-finals of the Champions League and is riding some serious momentum.

Barcelona has time and again proven they are one of strongest (if not the strongest) clubs in the world in dismantling AC Milan in the round of 16 and the coming back against PSG in the quarters.

Real Madrid is looking to show the world they are not only one of the best clubs out there, but the best that Spain has to offer. The team is driven by its historic success in the Champions League and its current stars are fighting to prove they deserve to be part of that history.

Dortmund may be the surprise team in the final four but they certainly deserve to be here. Not only have they gone undefeated this year, but they beat some impressive clubs along the way. Including none other than Real Madrid during the group stage.

No matter how the stats or history comes into play, this round of matches is without a doubt going to impress. Whether we end up with an all Spanish, all German or international final, every step to reaching Wembley in May will be incredible.