Then there were four, but not just any four, as Europe’s biggest leagues all still have a hand in the Champions League as the competition enters the semi-finals.
It is the first time since 2010 that Europe’s premier club competition has had four different countries represented in the semi-finals as Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Roma all pursue success.
But who will eventually come out on top as the final in Kiev edges closer? Sportsmail takes a closer look at the final four in the Champions League and why this is their year.
Bayern Munich
Road to the semi-finals
Group stage
Bayern Munich 3-0 Anderlecht
Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 3-0 Celtic
Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Anderlecht 1-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Last-16
Bayern Munich 5-0 Besiktas
Besiktas 1-3 Bayern Munich (1-8 agg)
Quarter-final
Sevilla 1-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 0-0 Sevilla (2-1 agg)
Bayern Munich’s Sven Ulreich (left), Thomas Muller (centre) and Arjen Robben celebrate progression after beating Sevilla in the quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw at the Allianz Arena
Outright odds
2/1
Top scorer
Robert Lewandowski (5)
2007-08: DNQ
2008-09: Quarter-finals
2009-10: Runners-up
2010-11: Last-16
2011-12: Runners-up
2012-13: Winners
2013-14: Semi-finals
2014-15: Semi-finals
2015-16: Semi-finals
2016-17: Quarter-finals
Bayern Munich are looking to win back the Champions League trophy they last held in 2013
Why this is their year…
Because they have the man in charge who knows exactly how to win the Champions League and how to win it with Bayern Munich.
Jupp Heynckes may only be back at the Allianz Arena on an interim basis for this season but having won the Champions League as part of a treble back in 2013 is now looking to return the trophy, which he never got the chance to defend, to the Allianz Arena outfit.
While Bayern have gone a little under the radar in Europe this term, there has been a ruthless efficiency about them that makes the German champions just as dangerous as they have ever been.
Boss Jupp Heynckes will hope to end his interim spell by lifting the Champions League trophy
Real Madrid
Road to the semi-finals
Group stage
Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL
Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Real Madrid
APOEL 0-6 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
Last-16
Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Real Madrid (2-5 agg)
Quarter-final
Juventus 0-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 1-3 Juventus (4-3 agg)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage time penalty for Real Madrid dramatically dumped out Juventus
Outright odds
13/8
Top scorer
Cristiano Ronaldo (15)
2007-08: Last-16
2008-09: Last-16
2009-10: Last-16
2010-11: Semi-finals
2011-12: Semi-finals
2012-13: Semi-finals
2013-14: Winners
2014-15: Semi-finals
2015-16: Winners
2016-17: Winners
The defending champions are hoping to win the Champions League for a third year running
Why this is their year…
Well, it has been Real Madrid’s year for three of the past four editions of the Champions League and they have now reached the semi-finals for an eighth consecutive season.
Even when it all looks like going wrong at the Bernabeu, like throwing away a 3-0 advantage over Juventus, a twist of fate seems to fall in favour of the Spanish side whose unmatched European pedigree seems to always shine through.
Oh, and not to mention having arguably the best player in the world in the form of goal scoring machine Cristiano Ronaldo also helps…
Ronaldo’s 15 goals have helped Madrid power into an eighth consecutive European semi-final
Liverpool
Road to the semi-finals
Play-off
Hoffenheim 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim (6-3 agg)
Group stage
Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla
Spartak Moscow 1-1 Liverpool
Maribor 0-7 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-0 Maribor
Sevilla 3-3 Liverpool
Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow
Last-16
Porto 0-5 Liverpool
Liverpool 0-0 Porto (5-0 agg)
Quarter-final
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool (1-5 agg)
Liverpool stunned Premier League leaders Manchester City to win 5-1 on aggregate
Outright odds
17/5
Top Scorer
Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino (9)
Champions League form
2007-08: Semi-finals
2008-09: Quarter-finals
2009-10: Group stage
2010-11: DNQ
2011-12: DNQ
2012-13: DNQ
2013-14: DNQ
2014-15: Group stage
2015-16: DNQ
2016-17: DNQ
The Reds will now play in their first semi-final since 2008 when they were beaten by Chelsea
Why this is their year…
It seems an age ago since you could not even trust Liverpool with a three-goal lead against teams with relatively little Champions League pedigree like Sevilla.
Now they are swatting aside the Premier League’s champions elect in style. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are leaving defences across Europe shaking in the fetal position and it is breeding huge confidence within the rest of the team.
On paper this Liverpool side are arguably better than the European champions of 2005. They are more than capable of going all the way and would fear no one in the process.
With the likes of Mo Salah (right) Liverpool have won of Europe’s most dangerous attacks
Roma
Road to the semi-finals
Group Stage
Roma 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Qarabag 1-2 Roma
Chelsea 3-3 Roma
Roma 3-0 Chelsea
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Roma
Roma 1-0 Qarabag
Last-16
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Roma
Roma 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2 agg)
*Roma win on away goals
Quarter-final
Barcelona 4-1 Roma
Roma 3-0 Barcelona (4-4 agg)
*Roma win on away goals
Roma performed one of the greatest European comebacks to eliminate Barcelona
Outright odds
12/1
Top scorer
Edin Dzeko (6)
2007-08: Quarter-finals
2008-09: Last-16
2009-10: DNQ
2010-11: Last-16
2011-12: DNQ
2012-13: DNQ
2013-14: DNQ
2014-15: Group stage
2015-16: Last-16
2016-17: Play-off round
The Italian side are having their best European campaign for over 10 years, bettering their quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester United in 2008
Why this is their year…
When you can come from 3-0 down against Barcelona to record one of the greatest European comebacks in history, why wouldn’t you fancy your chances? Especially when a defence has proven capable of keeping the likes of LIonel Messi quiet for 90 minutes.
The away form needs work but the Italian side have been unstoppable on home soil, having yet to concede an away goal.
With Edin Dzeko regularly finding the net in attack they will be ready to upset any team that expects the Italian outfit as the easiest route towards the Kiev final.
Edin Dzeko’s goals have helped fire Roma towards the semi-finals in the Champions League
Where and when is the Champions League semi-final draw?
The draw will take place in Nyon on Friday 13 at midday.
How does it work?
It will be an open draw with the side drawn first from either fixture playing the first leg at home.
When are the semi-finals?
Ties will be played on April 24 & 25 as well as May 1 & 2.