UCL & EL Draws: 4 Questions We’re Asking

The past week featured the semi-final draws of both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

Real Madrid, after dumping Juventus out of the competition in dramatic fashion, got paired with Bayern Munich in the first draw of the UCL semi-finals. Surprise packages, Liverpool and AS Roma got match-made in the second semi-final.

In the Europa League, Arsenal will be looking to find a way past one of the favorites to win the competition, Atletico Madrid as they were paired together. The other semi-final will see Olympique Marseille take on RB Salzburg.

All these action will go down starting from next week. And as we anticipate these games, these are some of the questions that we’re asking:

1. Should we expect more controversial refereeing decisions?

Some will say that Real Madrid qualified for the semis at the expense of Juventus thanks, in part, to some terrible refereeing decisions. A 97^th minute penalty was awarded by Michael Oliver, a move that left millions of heads rolling in the world of football and has earned the referee and his family heavy abuse and even threats.

As we continue in the competition, players and fans alike will be wary of controversial decisions that can play a huge role in determining whether or not a team will go through or get knocked out. Because of what happened in Madrid, should we expect more before the end of the tournament?

2. Arsenal’s busy week of football

When the last week in April comes calling and the first one in May appears, Arsenal will either be celebrating qualification for the final of the EL competition or they may have been kicked out of the tournament and also have a real struggle on their hands to even finish sixth in the Premier League.

Arsenal will welcome Atletico Madrid to the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of their encounter. After that game, they will face Manchester United before visiting Spain for the return leg. It’s a week that could make or break Arsenal’s season.

3. Can Liverpool win the UCL?

After seeing the draws, it’s easy to conclude that either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, if they make it through to the finals, will have a high chance of winning the trophy, regardless of who they meet.

But with the way Liverpool has been playing this season, they seem to be on a mission to finish the season with at least one trophy win. With the UCL title the one they’re still in contention for, the free-scoring side may just go all out and go all the way.

4. Can the “outsiders” win it?

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are odds on favorites to win the EL trophy this season. Looking at the four clubs that remain, they’re the biggest. So, it’s only normal that they’re favorites to win the competition.

But, this is football… and anything can happen. Marseille and Salzburg, during the EL season, have eliminated some big guns and completed amazing comebacks too.

While Wenger’s men and Simeone’s men are being touted as favorites, can any one of these two “outsiders” spring a surprise and win the competition instead?

What do you think about our questions? Feel free to leave us a comment and share your thoughts/responses with us. We’d love to hear from you.