NYON, Switzerland (AP) – Falling short of peak drama, Friday’s Champions League draw sent Real Madrid to play Manchester City and paired Atletico Madrid with Bayern Munich in the semifinals.
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The Citizens progressed to the semi-finals for the first time in their history after they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium last Tuesday, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
City have announced that seasoncard holders and members who have attended all five of their home games in the competition this season will be entitled to a £10 discount for the Real Madrid home leg on April 26.
Bayern and Atletico’s only previous meeting came in the 1974 final, with Munich winning 4-0 after an initial 1-1 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be heading back to the north-west after Manchester City were drawn against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Liverpool is looking to claim the trophy for a fourth time, having won it under its former guise of the UEFA Cup three times in the past. Atletico Madrid has demonstrated sufficient resilience to tackle this series of matches throughout the competition and we hope to be able to maintain the resilience now. “It will be very hard, but we will compete to the maximum like we always do”.Zinedine Zidane, the current Real Madrid boss, is anticipating a “big battle” against City but took some positives from the draw.
Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City sporting director, said: “It’s a great tie against the team that has won the competition the most times”.
There was only one season before this time in the Champions League, Real facing Man City.
“We’re delighted to be in the semis and to keep dreaming”, he said.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates his goal against PSG. The return leg match in Germany on May 3.
Pellegrini spent the 2009/10 season at Real before being dismissed after they missed out on the title by three points to Barcelona, even though he amassed a then club record 96 points and saw his team score 102 goals.
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Pellegrini knows from first-hand experience just what the demands are at the Spanish club for sustained success.
