Football fans can look forward to semi-final, first-leg action from the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 April 2021.
The Champions League action opens on Tuesday night with Real Madrid hosting Chelsea as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) battle Manchester City for a place in the final.
Chelsea laboured in their 2-1 aggregate win over a tough Porto side in the quarters, but they will fancy their chances of upsetting the Spanish giants for what should be a cracking semi-final tie.
“We’re buzzing. We’re in a good position, we know we’re playing well,” said midfielder Mason Mount. “The focus in every game is 100 per cent. We’re going into each game with confidence that we’re going to win. We’ve got a big end to the season.”
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be confident in facing another English side after they saw off Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. “We deserved to go through and I’m made up for the lads. It’ll give us a real boost as we go towards the end of the season,” said Real manager Zinedine Zidane.
Wednesday 28 April sees Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) host Premier League leader Manchester City, with the latter team having finally progressed to their first semi-final under the guidance of Pep Guardiola after they saw off the challenge of Borussia Dortmund.
Algerian Riyad Mahrez scored in City’s 2-1 win in Germany in mid-April and is looking forward to facing the French champions: “It’s very special for me because I was born and grew up in Paris. I’m happy to play against them,” said the Citizens attacking midfielder.
PSG took down reigning champions Bayern Munich on away goals in the previous round, with the teams having played out a thrilling 3-3 draw over two legs. The result saw PSG avenge their narrow defeat to the German giants in last season’s Champions League final.
“I’m very happy. We played a great team and we’re a great team as well. We’ve eliminated the champions of Europe, we’re in the semifinals and we’ll have to work even more,” said PSG star Neymar, who will be a clear and present threat to Man City’s ambitions of a first ever final appearance.
