By Chris Wright
The plastic balls of destiny have been removed from the Ikea vase of fate by the Ruud van Nistelrooy of circumstance and the line-ups for both the Champions League and Europa League semi-finals look a bit like this…
Champions League
Semi-final 1: Bayern Munich vs Barcelona
Semi-final 2: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
Europa League
Semi-final 1: Fenerbahce vs Benfica
Semi-final 2: FC Basel vs Chelsea
Would you believe it, Chelsea have never ever played Basel before in any capacity?
First thoughts: We might just have a speculative flutter on an all-German Champions League Final this year, though in truth it’s hard to see Dortmund turning over Real Madrid over the course of two legs. Bayern-Barca should be a cracker and it really could go either way.
As for the Europa League, as was evident last night, Basel are no duck eggs and there’s a question mark over whether or not Chelsea’s hearts are really in it – though we’re still backing the Blues to squeak through, with a probable Chelsea-Benfica final in the offing.
Any thoughts Pies fans?