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Champions League & Europa League Semi-finals Draw: As it happened...
After the Chmapions League draw, it`s time for the Europa League.
New Delhi: A fiercely attacking Monaco set to lock horns against defensively resolute Juventus, while Real Madrid face familiar threat of neighbors Atletico en route to the final in Wales. In the Europa League, Manchester United will be handed Spanish test in the form of Celta de Vigo, while Ajax will be up against Olypmique Lyon for a place in the final.
16: 45 IST: Ajax are the first team drawn and they will face Olympique Lyon in the semi-finals. This means Manchester United are up against Spanish side Celta de Vigo.
16:39 IST: The UEFA Europa League draw is upon us. Who will Manchester United face in the last four?
15: 49 IST: As Monaco will be the host of the first leg of the semi-final against Juventus.
15: 48 IST: Real Madrid are the first team drawn and they will be facing neighbors Atletico Madrid.
15:47 IST: Here we go!
15:45 IST: Liverpool legend Ian Rush is out on stage to commence the draw.
15:43 IST: AS Monaco are back at this stage of the tournament after 13 years. Can they progress further?
15:42 IST: Here we go! The draw is now set to begin.
15:35 IST: Pedro Pinto Pedro Pinto, UEFA's Chief of Communications and Media, is on stage.
The draw for penultimate round of the UCL season is upon us and while Real Madrid, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are the familiar names, AS Monaco's journey did leave quite a few surprised.
The Madrid neighbours have had their fair amount of struggle while progressing to this stage of the tournament. While Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid go themselves through after a controversy quarter final against Bayern Munich, Diego Simione's Atletico Madrid edged past English champions Leicester City to book their berth in the last 4.
As Monaco, eased past Borussia Dortmund, a team that went through the trauma of blast near their team bus during the first leg, are considered as dark horses of the campaign and would be hoping to get any one other than defensively solid Juventus in the semi-final.
Italian champions Juventus, swept aside Barcelona and didn't look troubled in any of the two legs against a fearsome attacking unit of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The draw coverage will start at 3:30 pm IST at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The first-leg matches will be held on May 2 and 3 respectively, while the return leg of the similar, will be held a week later on May 9 and 10, while the Champions League final will be played on June 3 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.