The new UCL format pits teams against each other in a league structure
Chelsea have been handed a herculean task in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) as the Blues were drawn to face Real Madrid.
At the draw held midday on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland, the London-based club was paired with Real Madrid, the current Champions and 14-time winners.
Last season, Chelsea were dumped out of the competition by Real Madrid at the same stage.
The present tie is seen as a herculean task for Chelsea’s floundering side against the rich European pedigree of Real Madrid.
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Manchester City and Bayern Munich were also drawn to face each other in the quarter-finals.
Man City, yet to win the UCL, despite spending billions, will be up against a formidable Bayern who eliminated PSG.
Victor Osimhen’s Napoli will face AC Milan in the all-Italian clash of the round, while Inter Milan and Benfica will slug it out for the final semi-final berth.
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The first legs of the quarter-finals will take place on April 11 and 12, with the return legs happening on April 18 and 19.
The first and second legs of the semi-finals will thereafter follow on May 9 and 10 and 16 and 17 respectively.
The UCL final will be hosted at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on June 10.
Champions League quarter-final draw:
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- Real Madrid v Chelsea
- Inter Milan v Benfica
- Manchester City v Bayern Munich
- AC Milan v Napoli
Champions League semi-final draw:
- AC Milan or Napoli v Benfica or Inter Milan
- Real Madrid or Chelsea v Manchester City or Bayern Munich
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