Real Madrid and Barcelona have been handed separate paths in order to reach the UEFA Champions League final in May and an El-Clasico final appears on the horizons.
The Spanish league, at current note, is considered as one of the most highly contested leagues in the entire Europe and the Spanish representation in this season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League speaks volumes.
Malaga, Valencia, Spanish champions Real Madrid and this season’s run away league leaders FC Barcelona all qualified for the latest version of this season’s Champions League and surprisingly all the teams representing Espana made
it to the knock out stage of the tournament.
Even more astonishing was Spain’s fight-back in the round of 16 of the Champions League as almost all the sides finished at the bad end of the picture after the 90 minutes of the first leg.
Real Madrid had drawn 1-1 at home to English giants Manchester United while FC Barcelona suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat at the San Siro, courtesy of some masterful tactical display by Italian power house AC Milan.
Meanwhile, Malaga suffered an away defeat to Portuguese champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 and Valencia were inflicted a loss by French side PSG.
A titanic second leg between Manchester United and Real Madrid saw the Spanish side progressing amid controversy, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 was shown a shock red card, a decision that directly changed the result of the match, United were dead and
buried and the Whites of Madrid progressed without celebrating, thoroughly professional at their part.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 wasn’t to be touched. The Argentine’s brace, coupled with Alba and Villa’s strikes ensured that Milan were eliminated at aggregate score.
Malaga also did their business at home after defeating Porto 2-0 and confirmed qualification to the quarters. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 however bowed out of the competition with their heads held high, losing on aggregate to PSG.
The draws of the competition were made yesterday and they have pitted http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Barcelona-c39078 against PSG, Real Madrid against Galatasaray, while Malaga faces the challenge of German Champions Borussia Dortmund.
The draws further ensured that Los Blancos and Blaugranas have separate routes to the show piece final at Wembley and the world will certainly pay to watch one of the greatest derbies in the world take the biggest stage that club
football could ever promise.
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