European semi-finals

The quarterfinals of the Champions League and Europa League were great, and we now have the semi-finals draws.
In the Champions league:

• Real Madrid-Manchester City: Real Madrid's giants made it through thanks to an incredible Cristiano Ronaldo, but do not look unbeatable, so Manchester City's semi-final debutants surely have a chance. To beat Paris St. Germain they were organized and intelligent, and not least had a fantastic Kevin DeBruyne. The League title seems lost for both sides, who are bound to put everything into the Champions League.
• Atletico Madrid-Bayern Munich: Atletico Madrid eliminated the defending champions, mighty FC Barcelona, playing their typical committed, physical and tactically intelligent football. They should have good chances against a Bayern Munich side that plays similar type of football as Barcelona, but who are at the same time much more cool-headed and a has more complete tactical variations than the Catalans.  

In the Europa League:

• Liverpool-Villarreal: Liverpool are in the semifinals after a thrilling quarterfinal contest with Borussia Dortmund. Villarreal are there after defeating a strong Sparta Prague side in two matches. In terms of next season's CL, Liverpool are unlikely to be there, while Villarreal are almost ensured at least qualifiers being 4th in the Spanish League. Be sure though that both teams will fight for this title, and I think this could be one of the most entertaining matches among the semi-finals.
• Shakhtar Donetsk-Sevilla: Sevilla are the defending champions and most winning side in the Europa League, has won the last two, but had to struggle to get there on penalties against Athletic Bilbao. They should nevertheless probably be favourites in this match. That said, Shakhtar Donetsk won the competition in 2009 and swept aside Braga to make it to the semifinals. Both teams qualified to the Europa League through the Champions League, and will be looking for Champions League next year: Sevilla are very unlikely to make it next season, while Shakhtar Donetsk are in comfortable second spot in the Ukranian league, almost sure to get CL qualifiers next season.

The Champions League 2015-16 Play-offs

Some were disappointed, some were as expected, some were surprises, but in the end, we had an exciting first round of this season's Champions League, with the following play-off matches to go:

• Bayern Munich-Juventus

Last seasons's finalists of Juventus are not as strong this season, and will surely have their hands full against a Bayern Munich side that will only accept winning the whole thing as an acceptable outcome.

• FC Barcelona-Arsenal

Arsenal just made it through by an excellent 0-3 victory away to Olympiakos. On a good day, Arsenal can beat (almost) anyone, but a Barcelona that is looking awesome in attack is probably too big a mouthful.

• Atletico Madrid-PSV Eindhoven

 Ateltico Madrid is joining the big 2 of Spanish football as another side set on the final. In their way will be a talented PSV Eindhoven side that contributed to Manchester United's early exit.

• Manchester City-Dynamo Kiev

As many other English side, Manchester City has not been convincing in the Champions League, although they sometimes show their outstanding potential. They will have to play well to beat a Dynamo Kiev side that is strong at home.

• Chelsea-Paris St. Germain

If there is a right time to defeat Chelsea it must be now, as the English champions are looking very weak. In the meantime, the Parisians have looked strong, although not sure they are ready yet to win the whole thing.

• Zenit St. Petersburg-Benfica

Watch out for Zenit! As nobody watched they were awesome winners of their group, and are surely looking for even better results! Benfica also looked strong although they were edged out in the end by Atletico Madrid, but will also be looking for a good result.

• Wolfburg-Gent

Two of the surprises will face one another. Wolfburg edged out ahead of Manchester United alongside PSV Eindhoven, and are surely a strong and talented side that will look for more. Gent on the other hand never expected to be where they are, and will play without pressure, as this is already a big success for the Belgian side.

• Real Madrid-Roma

Any hope Roma will have of beating Real Madrid must come from the fact that the Spaniards have not looked strong as of late. That said, Real Madrid were awesome in the group stages and are strongly focused on another Champions League title.