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Chelsea draw Real Madrid, City to face Atletico in UCL quarter-finals

HOLDERS Chelsea and Real Madrid have been paired in the standout clash of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The draw, which was held on Friday, also pitted Manchester City against Atletico Madrid as the three English sides left in the competition avoided each other.

Chelsea overcame Lille to reach this stage while Real Madrid saw off Paris Saint-Germain.

Atletico will be back in Manchester weeks after beating United 1-0 at Old Trafford to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

Liverpool, who beat Inter Milan in the round of 16, will face Ajax conquerors Benfica, with Bayern Munich up against Villarreal.

In the semi-finals, the winner of the Chelsea versus Real Madrid tie will face Atletico Madrid or Manchester City, while Benfica or Liverpool will play either Villarreal or Bayern Munich.

The quarter-finals will be held on 5 April and 6 April and 12 April and 13 April.

The first legs of the semi-finals will be on 26 April and 27 April, and the second legs on 3 May and 4 May.

The Stade de France in Paris will host the final on Saturday, 28 May after it was moved from St Petersburg in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Chelsea will be reunited with their former manager Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double during a two-year spell with the club between 2009 and 2011.

Chelsea and Real Madrid also met at the semi-final stage last season, with Thomas Tuchel’s side winning 3-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Manchester City in the final.

The London club have never lost in five previous meetings with Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are seeking an unprecedented quadruple, having already lifted the Carabao Cup and still being in contention for the Premier League and FA Cup.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid

Villarreal vs Bayern Munich

Benfica vs Liverpool

SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Manchester City or Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea or Real Madrid

Benfica or Liverpool vs Villarreal or Bayern Munich

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