Real Madrid and Atletico to meet again in Champions League semi-final

Juventus and Monaco meet in the other semi-final after Friday’s draw

The Uefa Champions league trophy is displayed ahead of the draw for the competition’s semi-finals on Friday. Photograph: Getty Images
The Uefa Champions league trophy is displayed ahead of the draw for the competition’s semi-finals on Friday. Photograph: Getty Images

Real Madrid will do battle with their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

This will be the fourth successive season the rivals have met in the competition and Atleti have yet to get the better of Los Blancos across that run.

Real won both the 2014 and 2016 finals against their foes from across Madrid, with Diego Simeone’s men now having the opportunity to exact revenge when the sides meet in the last four.

Monaco and Juventus go head-to-head in the other semi-final clash as the June 3rd finale at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium looms large.

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The semi-final first legs will be played on May 2nd and 3rd, with Real Madrid and Monaco starting at home in their respective ties.

The return fixtures will be played the following week, when Atletico will be hoping to end their Champions League heartache by finally overcoming their rivals.

Atleti have finished runners-up in the competition on three occasions, whereas Real’s victory last year was their 11th in the competition.

Gareth Bale would love nothing more than to win the competition in his hometown of Cardiff, while Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will hope to add the trophy that has so far eluded him during his glittering career.

The 39-year-old’s side will be home for the second leg against Monaco, whose young, exciting team knocked out Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.

Semi-finals

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (First legs May 2nd, second leg May 10th)

Monaco v Juventus (First legs May 3rd, second leg May 9th)