The dream double-derby semifinal has not come to fruition, and a potential domestic rivalry game in the knockout stage of the Champions League will have to wait until the final. Bayern Munich will get their shot to prove that they have surpassed Barcelona, while Borussia Dortmund get a group stage rematch with Real Madrid.
UEFA Champions League draw results: Rivalry games put off until final
If you wanted two domestic rivalry games in the Champions League semifinal, you’re out of luck.
Harold Cunningham
Of the four sides, only Dortmund truly struggled to make the semifinal. They pulled out one of the most miraculous comebacks in Champions League history on Tuesday, scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Malaga 4-3 on aggregate. Barcelona were seriously tested and trailed at one point in the second leg of their tie against Paris Saint-Germain, but scored the goal that sent them through in the 71st minute. Meanwhile, Bayern and Madrid progressed very comfortably.
Dortmund got the better of Real Madrid in the group stage of this year’s competition, beating them at the Westfalenstadion and drawing them at the Santiago Bernabeu in route to their group win. Finishing second in Group D set up a tough road for Madrid, but they were able to progress past Manchester United in the round of 16 before beating Galatasaray comfortably in the quarterfinal.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona meet for the first time in Munich on April 23. The other tie kicks off a day later, with Dortmund playing their home leg first. The second legs of the semifinal take place on April 30 and May 1.
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