Real Madrid – Bayern Munich highlights the Champions League semi-finals

UPDATE (4/11/14): UEFA has confirmed that Atletico Madrid keeper Thibaut Coutois — on loan from Chelsea — can play against the “Blues” in the semi-final of the Champions League.

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The draw for the match ups for the semi-final of the Champions League took place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.

The first leg of the semi-finals of tournament will take place on April 22 – 23, and the return leg will take place on April 29-30.

Here is VOXXI’s prediction for the semi-final match ups:

Real Madrid – FC Bayern Munich

The first team drawn were Spanish giants Real Madrid, and they were set to face defending champions Bayern Munich.

Madrid has shown vast improvement under new manager Carlo Ancelotti this season. This season has seen a lethal partnership between Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale form. “BBC” and a much-improved midfield has managed to carry the 9-time European champions this far in the competition.

SEE ALSO: Real Madrid survives a scare in the Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo has been injured as of late, and Real Madrid’s chances live and die with him.

Bayern Munich managed to waltz passed the competition thus far, and under new coach Pep Guardiola seem to be even more impressive than they were last yeah, when they won the Champions League. Bayern’s depth is enviable, the starters and bench players are of the highest quality.

Prediction: Bayern Munich will get passed Real Madrid in a tough-fought matchup. Bayern is on a roll and Real Madrid will have a tough time with the Germans.

Atletico Madrid – Chelsea

Chelsea’s Demba Ba celebrates after scoring his side second goal of the game during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, April 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham).

Atletico Madrid comes into the semi-final of the Champions League flying high. The “Colchoneros” just eliminated FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the tournament, while at the same time they are at the top of La Liga.

The Madrid club, however, has to overcome a huge loss if they want to make it to the final. Starting goalkeeper Thibaut Coutois is on loan from Chelsea, and the Belgian international has a clause in his contract that prohibits him from playing against the London Blues.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are coming off of an epic comeback in their quarterfinal matchup against PSG. Jose Mourinho’s men have been in fine form in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Chelsea has proven to be a handful this season.

SEE ALSO: 5 reasons why Atletico Madrid can dream of the Champions League

Prediction: Chelsea will defeat this year’s Cinderella story. The London “Blues,” however, will have a tougher time than anticipated against a scrappy Atletico Madrid side.

Winner of semi-final 1, Real Madrid vs. FC Bayern Munich, will be the home team in the Champions League final on May 24 in Lisbon, Portugal.