Champions League Results 2015: Scores, Draw Date After Tuesday's Quarter-Finals
Barcelona and Bayern Munich rose above the respective challenges of Paris Saint-Germain and Porto on Tuesday evening to become the first two teams to book their spots in this season's Champions League semi-finals.
Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Monaco will duel on Wednesday for the rights to complete the final-four makeup, with Europe's elite tournament now entering its most intense phases.
This Friday will see the four qualified teams drawn against one another as our 2014-15 semi-final lineup comes to fruition, with all the vital draw information outlined ahead.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Draw Date: Friday, April 24
Time: 11 a.m. BST/6 a.m. ET
Location: Nyon, Switzerland
Semi-Final Dates: May 5-6, May 12-13
Analysing the Qualified Outfits
Bayern Munich
If the Bundesliga champions put out a timid account of their abilities in Portugal last week, their 6-1 triumph over Porto on Tuesday evening was a roaring statement in what they're capable of producing at their best.
That second-leg result gave Der FCB a 7-4 aggregate win overall, and the official Champions League Twitter account was on hand to detail just how crushing a victory this was for Pep Guardiola's side:
Despite the injury troubles facing his team—Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery were among those missing on Tuesday—Guardiola has managed to rally those troops left to still look like a team capable of major honours.
It gives us an idea of not only how shrewd the tactician's mind is, but also just how deep Bayern's resources truly run, which could spell imminent danger for the next team unfortunate enough to meet them in combat.
It's also pertinent that Jackson Martinez's consolation finish on Tuesday was the first goal Bayern have conceded in European competition in more than a year.
That home record will be hugely significant in the games to come, with OptaJohan detailing just what an effective machine this Bayern Munich side are when playing in front of a home audience:
"6 - FC Bayern faced a total of six shots on target in their five CL home matches (1 tonight) this season, conceding only once. Fortress.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) April 21, 2015"
Of course, that isn't to suggest Guardiola's men aren't capable of performing in foreign territory, but there will be some shred of doubt following the surprise defeat at Porto earlier this month.
The Germans may see that as the one shock result they're permitted and are now more awake to the threats ahead, hoping to amass a fitter cast of stars for their final-four examinations.
Barcelona
A Neymar masterclass inspired Barcelona to a 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as the Brazilian netted twice to thrust his team through to the Champions League semi-finals.
In truth, Barca did the most damage at Parc des Princes last week, but they put the finishing touches on a 5-1 aggregate victory this week and continue their upturn in form of late.
Luis Enrique was coming under a storm of criticism several months ago, but it looks as though that cloud of doubt may have passed for now, with the Blaugrana now working at their most fluid once again.
As The Sun confirms, Enrique's record after 50 games in the Barca hot seat is even superior to that of the aforementioned Guardiola:
By all means, the La Liga giants appear to be hitting top form at just the right time and can hope things only improve as they edge toward next month's semi-finals.
Barca almost give off the sense that winning is entitled to them, and it's at this point of a campaign that mental strength can come to play its part, something Squawka suggests Barcelona thrive from:
Barca may be in beastly mode right now following their dismantling of PSG, but squad fitness will be of paramount concern to Enrique, whose ranks don't run quite as deep as Bayern's might.
Keeping the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez fit will be seen as a priority, but it's also true that maintaining what defensive consistency the team has is of major importance.
