Recent history suggested the first Champions League semi-final between Real and Atletico Madrid would be something of a chess match, a close, tense encounter where neither side would want to give up too much early ground in a vital two-legged affair.
That was certainly not the case though, as Los Blancos blitzed their city rivals to devestating effect. Diego Simeone's side lacked their usual defensive steel and failed to land a glove on their opponents in the final third of the pitch as they succumbed to wave upon wave of attacks from the home side.
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick, the seventh of his career in this competition, has all but assured that Real will be contesting yet another Champions League final in Cardiff this season. The Portugal international became the first player to reach 100 goals in this tournament and his treble on Tuesday night means he now has more goals to his name in Europe's premier club competition than Atleti have managed in their history (100).
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The outright winner market now sees the reigning champions at just 4/6 (1.67) with dabblebet to retain their European crown, while Atletico are listed at 40/1 (41.0) to perform a miracle turnaround at the Vicente Calderon before going on to lift the trophy.
Juventus are 13/8 (2.63) to go one better than they managed in 2015 when losing out to Barcelona in the final, although first Max Allegri's side will need to get past surprise package Monaco, who are priced at 15/2 (8.50) to go all the way after reaching the final four of this competition for the first time since 2004.
The Serie A side have been particularly effective in converting Champions League semi-final appearances into progress to the respective finals, qualifying in five of their six attempts at this stage of the competition. They are just 1/3 (1.33) to improve that record while Leonardo Jardim's outfit are 9/4 (3.25) to get the better of their more fancied opponents.
Emilio Andreoli
Once again, Wednesday's clash pitches one of the best attacking units against a staunch defence in a compelling battle of contrasting styles, but which will come out on top?
Monaco are the first team in the competition's history to find the net at least three times in four consecutive knockout stage encounters but they also have the worst defensive tally of any team left at this stage, leaking 16 goals overall.
Over 2.5 goals is an Even money (2.0) chance with dabblebet at the Stade Louis II and that looks a tempting option considering the hosts only know one way of going about things and it's certainly not defending.
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