Pep 11-10 to KO former club in semi-finals
FOOTBALL pundits across Europe have been debating whether this is the strongest Champions League semi-final line-up in the history of the competition and one look at the outright betting would suggest supporters are in for a treat from here onwards.
It is 21-10 the field with Barcelona just shading favouritism after being drawn to face former manager Pep Guardiola – the Catalans are 5-6 favourites to progress to the final with Bayern Munich at 11-10.
“It’s a big ask, but fortunately we have the return at home and that could be an edge,” said Bayern World Cup winner Philipp Lahm. “I reckon it’s 50-50.”
Real Madrid have a more comfortable draw against Juventus and the holders have been cut to 9-4 to become the first team in the Champions League era to successfully retain the crown.
Like Guardiola, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti will take on a former club and the Spaniards are 4-9 to overcome Juventus in the last four.
Napoli will have been delighted at being paired to take on Dnipro in the Europa League semi-finals and Rafael Benitez is 6-4 to bag another European trophy. Seville take on Fiorentina in the other semi-final.