Champions League draw: Chelsea play Atletico Madrid, raising Thibaut Courtois conundrum, while Real Madrid face Bayern Munich
The first legs of the semi-finall takes place on 22 and 23 April
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea have drawn Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. The other tie sees Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich.
The tie could have proved controversial, with Chelsea's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on loan at Atletico. The Blues had a clause inserted in the Belgian's contract which states that Atletico would have to pay a fee should he play against his parent club, but Uefa clarified their stance on the issue this morning, declaring any clause "null, void and unenforceable" meaning he will be eligible to feature.
Chelsea last faced Atletico in August 2012 in the Super Cup final, losing 4-1 in Monaco. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao scored a hat-trick in the fixture, alongside a strike from Miranda. Gary Cahill netted a late consolation for the Blues.
The clubs previously met in the Champions League in the group stage in 2009/10, drawing 2-2 in Madrid, while the Blues won 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The tie will also see Fernando Torres return to his face his former team. The striker started his career at Atletico, and captained the side at the age of 19.
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola will hope his fine record against Real Madrid continues when Bayern take on the Spaniards. As Barcelona coach, he won six out of eight La Liga matches against the club, with only one defeat.
"If we want to win the Champions League, we have to beat everyone including Bayern," Madrid manager Ancelotti, who won the double with Chelsea in 2010, said.
"The semi-finals against Bayern will be very difficult, but it's not easy for anyone to play Real Madrid either."
Bayern are aiming to become the first team to retain the trophy since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992.
Chelsea will be away at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg on 22 April, while Real will be at home to Bayern on 23 April. The second legs will be played on 29 and 30 April.
The final is on Saturday, 24 May at 7.45pm. The Estadio da Luz in Lisbon is the venue.
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