The Champions League semi-finals are here! Who has the best chance of winning the title and why?

The Champions League enters its final phase. Only the top four teams, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Villarreal, remain in the competition. Which team has the best chance of winning the trophy and why?

Manchester City

Why they can win

Few teams can withstand the Citizens’ overwhelming pressure in possession of the ball and their superbly elaborate pressing. Moreover, in terms of the breadth of their squad, City have no competition across Europe and that will come in handy at the end of the season.

The hunger for success in the Champions League is huge at the Etihad Stadium, after all, that is the goal the Citizens super team was built with, but has so far failed to fulfil.

Key Player – Kevin De Bruyne

An absolutely fundamental member of Manchester City’s line-up. Playing with and without De Bruyne is like night and day. He has amassed a 14+12 record this season, and almost every action in the attacking half goes through him.

The LM way

Group A:: Winners (PSG, Leipzig, Brugge)
Eight-final:: 5::0 overall vs Sporting Lisbon
Quarter-final:: 1::0 overall vs Atlético Madrid
Top scorer:: Riyad Mahrez (6)

Real Madrid

Why they can win

When Real managed to turn the tide against PSG from 0::2, when they managed to turn the score around against LM winners Chelsea, it begs the question, what is actually beyond Real’s power? Moreover, Los Blancos have a squad famously imbued with experience and youthful predation and hunger.

Kroos, Modric, Benzema, Carvajal, Casemiro, Marcelo, Nacho, L. Vázquez, Isco, they were all there for the famous hat-trick in the Champions League. Plus Vinícius, Rodrygo, Valverde, Camavinga, Militao, who are yet to make a name for themselves.

Key player – Karim Benzema

Probably the best player in the world at the moment. If Benzema wasn’t playing in the form of his life, Real probably wouldn’t even be at this stage. A hat-trick against PSG, a hat-trick against Chelsea and another goal in the return leg. Together with Vinicius, they make a lethal duo, the Frenchman has already scored 39 goals and added 14 assists this season.

The LM journey

Group D:: Winners (Inter, Shakhtar, Sheriff)
Eight-final:: 3::2 overall vs PSG
Quarter-final:: 5::4 overall vs Chelsea
Top scorer:: Karim Benzema (12)

Liverpool

Why they can win

Liverpool are playing in excellent form and have a chance to win all four trophies. In the semi-final, they have got probably the most formidable opponent, however, they must not underestimate Villarreal, it hasn’t paid off for the two giants. We can find a parallel with the 2018/19 season, when Liverpool chased City in the league and eventually won the Champions League.

Key player: Mohamed Salah

The Reds’ offensive is running like clockwork, with Jürgen Klopp having the traditional trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, plus two recent signings in Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz. But it is the Egyptian winger who shines brightest, with 30 goals and 13 assists in the current campaign.

LM’s journey

Group B:: Winners (Atlético Madrid, AC Milan, Porto)
Eight-final:: 2::1 overall vs Inter
Quarter-final:: 6::4 overall vs Benfica
Top scorer:: Mohamed Salah (8)

Villarreal

Why they can win

Villarreal are the biggest outsider in the semi-finals, but the Yellow Submarine have already managed to surprise many a football fan by winning the Europa League last year over Arsenal and Manchester United. This year, they knocked out Juventus and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Their resilience is impressive, why shouldn’t the magic of a family club continue?

Key player: Dani Parejo

Leader, leader and director of the game. A man seasoned with experience, he knows exactly when to speed up the game and when to slow it down, setting the pace for Villarreal’s play. His teammates can rely on him, he is very reliable in the midfield and practically never loses the ball. He is also great in standard situations and can help with numbers, with a 3+9 record this season.

The LM way

Group D:: Second place (Manchester United, Atalanta, YB Bern)
Eight-final:: 4::1 overall vs Juventus
Quarter-final:: 2::1 overall vs Bayern
Top scorer:: Arnaut Danjuma (6)

Source: UEFA