Real Madrid has carved an astonishing path in the Champions League over the past decade and a half, reaching the semi finals 11 times in 13 years. That record makes them the most frequent contenders at this stage in the modern era of the competition.
The club demonstrated once more why Europe calls this tournament a special stage for them. In the current edition, they denied their quarterfinal opponent any opportunity, beating Chelsea 4-0 on aggregate and booking a spot in the last four with authority.
The semifinal reach is well within Real Madrid’s established pattern in recent seasons. Across the 13-year span, they have advanced to the penultimate round on eleven occasions, balancing five victories and five defeats in those decisive ties. Throughout this period they have consistently pushed through to the final rounds, lifting the coveted trophy on multiple occasions as proof of their enduring Champions League prowess.
The Whites have faced a mix of champions and heavyweights along the way, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Atlético Madrid. On the other hand, their exits have come at the hands of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Chelsea in various campaigns.
With such a storied history of advancing through the knockout stages, it is clear that Madrid’s strength in late-season European matches comes from a well-documented mentality and a deep pool of experience. Reaching the semi finals this season places them among the elite teams repeatedly seen in the competition’s closing rounds, and their upcoming clash promises a high-level duel given that the competing path now links Manchester City and Bayern Munich in a crossroads of top-tier talent and tactical sophistication.