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Real to host Atletico in first leg of Champions League semis

Tuesday, 02 May 2017 2:22 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 02 May 2017 2:23 AM ]

Real Madrid and AS Monaco FC will play the first leg at home. (Via Reuters)

Real Madrid and Atletico have been put through their paces ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

Zinedine Zidane’s men will welcome their city rivals Atletico to Santiago Bernabu on Tuesday. It is the fourth consecutive year that the two teams meet in Europe’s premier club competition.

Los Blancos emerged victorious on all three of those previous occasions, including in two finals and a quarterfinal.

This crucial encounter will also mark Real’s seventh semifinal appearance in this competition and their 28th European Cup semi-final appearance overall.

The Galacticos have been boosted by Raphael Varane’s recovery from a hamstring injury but fellow center-half Pepe won’t be available.

At the other end, Diego Simeone will likely miss the services of key defensive players including Jose Gimenez and Juanfran.

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