Liverpool found out their Champions League fate on Friday afternoon as they were drawn against Roma, while Bayern Munich have been matched against holders Real Madrid.
Each side has their own strengths heading into the last four, while they all bring their own level of European pedigree. Some managers have experience of winning the trophy, while others are competing in it for the first time.
Sportsmail has put together a guide to the four teams in the Champions League semi-finals and the games they will take part in.
Liverpool
Run to the final
Liverpool have played more games than any other team left in the competition to reach this stage. Their Champions League campaign began with a play-off against Hoffenheim, which they won 6-3.
They then topped a group that included later-vanquishers of Manchester United Sevilla, drawing both of their games against the Spanish side. They also managed two 7-0 wins — against Maribor and Spartak Moscow.
The Reds then beat Porto 5-0 away from home in the round of 16 before advancing with a 0-0 draw. A win over two legs against Manchester City saw them reach the last four.
Liverpool reached the last four of the Champions League after beating Manchester City
Three key players
Virgil van Dijk
It would be easy enough to simply pick out Liverpool’s front three but Van Dijk has made a real impact since his move from Southampton in January. The Dutch defender adds poise to a back-line that was previously chaotic. Whether it is Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip he partners, Liverpool look a different proposition with Van Dijk at centre-back.
James Milner
Arguably the most criminally underrated footballer in the world. Milner has been outstanding for Liverpool in the Champions League this season and was excellent in both games against Manchester City. His work rate is exceptional, but he has also married that with technical prowess. No player in the competition has provided more than his seven assists — and no one else has more than four.
Mohamed Salah
It would be remiss not to mention the Egyptian king. Salah has been on another level since his summer move from Roma. He is leading the charts in the Premier League for goals scored and also impressing in Europe, with eight goals in the Champions League this campaign. Defenders beware — Salah can turn a game in an instant.
Mohamed Salah has matched his domestic form in Europe and has bagged eight goals
Champions League pedigree
It is pretty hard to ignore Liverpool’s history in the European Cup. They have five to their name — more than any other team in England — last picking up the trophy in 2004-05. It is worth mentioning, though, that this is only their second season in the competition since 2010.
Manager’s experience
Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund made waves by picking up consecutive Bundesliga crowns, but they became Europe’s temporary darlings when they reached a Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley. Sadly, they lost in the last minute. That campaign aside, this is the furthest Klopp has gone in this tournament.
Liverpool have won five European Cups — last picking up the trophy in Istanbul in 2005
Roma
Run to the final
Roma were a bit of a surprise package at the group stage. Most would have tipped Atletico Madrid and Chelsea to advance from Group C. But an unbeaten record at home, including a 3-0 victory against Chelsea, and only one defeat on the road saw Roma go through in top spot.
In the knockout stages, Roma have become kings of the away goal rule. They lost 2-1 against Shakthar Donetsk away, but went through with a 1-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
And then they lost 4-1 away against Barcelona. They seemed to be heading out. A three-goal win in Rome later and they were in the last four.
Roma reached the semi-finals after a shock comeback against Spanish giants Barcelona
Three key players
Kostas Manolas
The man who won the quarter-final tie in dramatic fashion with a brilliantly placed header. Manolas is also a rock at the back for Eusebio Di Franceso’s side and provides them with solidity.
Daniele De Rossi
De Rossi is a veteran midfielder who adds steel to the proposition in the centre of the park. He also provides quality on the ball and, in a team filled with players who could be regarded as less than exceptional, he is one who would probably get into most teams in Europe.
Edin Dzeko
Turned down — or was denied — a move to Chelsea in January. What a decision that has ended up being. The giant striker scored against Barcelona and will be integral to Roma’s hopes of reaching the final. Has won more headers than any striker left in the competition.
Edin Dzeko (centre, middle) will be important to Roma if they want to advance in Europe
Champions League pedigree
Roma are the only team in the last four who have never won a European Cup during their history. They have also only picked up one European competition — an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1960-61.
Manager’s experience
This is the first European campaign Eusebio Di Francesco has ever taken charge of. He only joined Roma in the summer and previously managed relative minnows like Sassuolo, Lecce and Pescara.
Roma’s Eusebio Di Francesco had never been involved in European football as a boss before
Head to head record
Matches – 5. Liverpool wins – 3. Draws – 1. Roma wins – 1.
Bayern Munich
Run to the final
Bayern had one of the toughest tasks in Europe at the start of the season — beat PSG to top spot in Group B. They could not manage that, losing 3-0 away to the French side and winning 3-1 at home, meaning they finished second in their group on head-to-head. They won every other game.
They then ploughed through Besiktas in the round of 16, beating them 5-0 at home before a simply 3-1 victory away to seal an 8-1 aggregate win.
Sevilla came next and they were comfortably dispatched as well. Bayern beat them 2-1 in Sevilla and then drew at home to secure a place in the last four.
Bayern Munich overcame Sevilla, drawing the home leg, to advance to this stage
Three key players
Joshua Kimmich
The heir to Phillipe Lahm. At 23-years-old, Kimmich has already established himself as Bayern’s right-back for the future and has impressed in that role throughout this campaign. He has played in all but one Champions League fixture this campaign and offers defensive quality and threat going forward with the ball.
Arjen Robben
Even at his advanced age, Arjen Robben is a danger to any team when he gets on the ball. And cuts inside. And shoots. There’s a reason why Bayern have extended his contract for another season. He has been plagued by injury this season but has still played in eight games in Europe.
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski is arguably the best pure striker in Europe. There’s a reason why Real Madrid are desparate to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer. He is still performing for Bayern, despite speculation over his future. Lewandowski has five goals in this competition this campaign, a total that is likely to rise over the semi-finals.
Striker Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best pure No 9 in Europe and will be key for Bayern
Champions League pedigree
They have managed the same number of victories in the European Cup as Liverpool, with five to their name. Also managed a treble of wins between 1974 and 1976. They were given the original trophy by UEFA in 1976 to mark that achievement.
Manager’s experience
Jupp Heynckes oversaw Bayern Munich’s last victory in the Champions League, seemingly retiring after winning it in 2012-13. He’s back though, and brings with him another win in the competition — as Real boss in 1998.
Jupp Heynckes oversaw Bayern’s last win in the Champions League in the 2012-13 campaign
Real Madrid
Run to the final
Real were surprisingly poor in their group, losing against Tottenham away from home and drawing with them at the Santiago Bernabeu to finish second. They did, however, smash through APOEL and Borussia Dortmund.
They have recovered from that commendably, being handed and then overcoming one of the harder round of 16 draws — against PSG. They beat the French giants home and away.
Juventus came next and it seemed like Real had their number after beating them 3-0 in Turin. Back in Madrid and Zinedine Zidane’s team fell to pieces. They went three goals behind and only advanced after Cristiano Ronaldo’s added time penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a penalty against Juventus on Wednesday night
Three key players
Sergio Ramos
If you want evidence of how important Sergio Ramos is, watch the Juventus second-leg back. Real were a complete shambles defensively without the centre half. And going forward, they can always rely on Ramos to pop up with an important goal in clutch moments. Worryingly, he could be slapped with an additional ban after watching the final minutes of the Juventus game from pitch-side.
Toni Kroos
Arguably the finest midfielder on the planet. Toni Kroos keeps Real ticking over but also has the ability to scythe apart a defence when his team are going forward. Not only that, but the Robbie Williams enthusiast has a wicked strike on him and regularly contributes in front of goal too. Has played more key passes (23) than any player left in the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Yes, him. Ronaldo popped up again in the last minutes of the Juventus game to send his side through. The Portuguese maestro also scored a stunner of an overhead kick in the first-leg to mark himself out as a genius again. The top scorer in this year’s edition of the competition with 15. That is nearly more than double what everyone else has achieved, with second-placed Salah on eight.
Sergio Ramos’ absence against Juventus highlighted how important he is to the side
Champions League pedigree
Just the three victories in the competition in the last four seasons. And 12 European Cups throughout their entire history. If any club is synonymous with this competition, it is Real.
Manager’s experience
Zinedine Zidane came into a Real Madrid side struggling under Rafa Benitez. He then led them to their 11th European Cup. And the next season he became the first manager to win the modern Champions League in consecutive seasons. Not a bad start to his career in the dugout.
Real Madrid have won the Champions League in both of the last two campaigns
Head to head record
Matches – 24. Bayern Munich wins – 11. Draws – 2. Real Madrid wins – 11.