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Premier League club Chelsea were drawn against 13-time winners Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on Friday. In addition, Manchester City were placed against Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Liverpool have been slated to play Benfica with the remaining three English sides kept apart and Bayern Munich paired alongside Villarreal.
The latest confirmed piece of information suggested that Chelsea were going to defend their continental title despite the controversy surrounding the club as they were put up for sale post the government in the United Kingdom placing its Russian owner Roman Abramovich under sanctions. The action was taken in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war in which the Russian troops have invaded Ukraine's territory.
The Thomas Tuchel-led team will play Real at home in the first leg of the quarterfinal either on April 5 or 6. They will then visit the Santiago Bernabeu in the subsequent week. It was also reported that Chelsea may even be forced to play their home matches behind closed doors as the EU sanctions on Abramovich may prevent the sale of tickets for these fixtures.
Quarterfinal line up:
Chelsea (ENG) vs Real Madrid (ESP)
Manchester City (ENG) vs Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Villarreal (ESP) vs Bayern Munich (GER)
Benfica (POR) vs Liverpool (ENG)
Possible semifinals scenarios:
Manchester City/Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea/Real Madrid
Benfica/Liverpool vs Villarreal/Bayern Munich
It is pertinent to note that while the first leg of the quarterfinals could be held on April 5 and 6, second legs are on April 12 and 13. Similarly, the semifinals' first leg will be played on April 26 and 27, with the second leg on May 3 and 4. UEFA Champions League final this year is scheduled on May 28, Saturday.