In Brief

Man City face Real Madrid, Liverpool draw Villarreal in semi-finals

Two remaining English clubs face Spanish opposition in the last four of the Champions and Europa leagues

15 Apr 2016

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Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo will be heading back to the north-west after Manchester City were drawn against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

While City avoided a clash with Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich, they could be up against their manager-in-waiting in the final if they can overcome the Spanish giants.

The tie will also give current boss Manuel Pellegrini the chance to get one over on his old club. The Chilean was in charge at the Bernabeu between 2009 and 2010, before being replaced by Jose Mourinho.

Both City and Real will feel as though they have got "the best possible draw", says the Daily Telegraph. Los Merengues would have been pleased to avoid their neighbours, Atletico Madrid, who knocked out Barcelona, while Guardiola has a track record against them.

City will also be pleased to have avoided Atleti, who are the form team in the competition.

But the tie will still be a blockbuster, says the Daily Mail. "Ronaldo and fellow former Premier League star Gareth Bale will return to England what is likely to be a sensational two-legged affair," it claims.

However, the prospect of playing the second leg in Spain could put the Premier League team at a disadvantage.

In the Europa League, Liverpool will play the second leg of their tie with Villarreal at Anfield, after overcoming Borussia Dortmund in a thriller.

They will also be happy with their draw, avoiding the title-holders, Sevilla, and a gruelling trip to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk.

Liverpool have never met Villarreal in European competition, although the two clubs have a connection as the Spanish side take their nickname, the Yellow Submarine, from a Beatles' song.

It will still be a tough test for Jurgen Klopp's team, notes The Guardian: "Villarreal are fourth in La Liga and were emphatic conquerors of Sparta Prague in the quarter-finals. They knocked out Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen in the earlier rounds and have beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this season."

There is an added incentive for both clubs to do well in Europe, says the Telegraph, which notes that if they both win their competitions, Manchester United may be denied a place in the Champions League next season as only the Premier League's top three.