The draw for the Champions League semi-finals will take place on Friday and four historic teams will be in the pot:Barcelona,Bayern,Juventus and Real Madrid.
21 European Cups are spread over the four European giants' trophy cabinets. 'Los Blancos' lead the way with ten, the German champions have five, 'Los Azulgranas' are on four and 'La Vecchia Signora' sits at the bottom of the pile on two.
Juventus got back to their roots and returned to their rightful place at the top of European football.
The Serie A giants closed ranks in Monaco, turning to ultra-defensive tactics which worked to perfection. Just like during their glory years, Juve showed reliability and resilience against a lacklustre Monaco side that failed to turn the tie around. It was a true Italian performance which allows them to continue dreaming of a Champions League crown.
Allegri fielded a three-man defence reminiscent of the 'Conte era', something he has rarely done this season, but his plan could not have gone any better. A goalless draw with no clear-cut chances for either side.
The Italians stuck to the job at hand and their place in the semis never looked under threat. Nobody is going to want the 'Vecchia Signora' in the semi-final draw now.
Thrilled at qualifying for the Champions League semi-finals, Ancelotti said, "we had a great game, our tactics were spot on and that's how we'll continue until the final".
The Real Madrid boss told Canal+ TV that "following Modric's injury, we decided to play Ramos in midfield".
On match hero, Mexico's Chicharito, he said: "he understands that he is important to the team and he should be congratulated, because he's had a tough year. He hasn't played much".
When asked about the opposition, Ancelotti said: "we played against a tough team, I have a lot of respect for the opposition, they work really hard in defence".
Ahead of Friday's semi-final draw, Ancelotti said: "whatever happens in the draw, we have to win if we want to be in the final".
Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Simeone congratulated his team despite falling at the quarter-final hurdle of the Champions League and stated that the defeat left "no negative feelings".
"I'm proud of my team for competing as we did. I have a team of men", he declared in a post-match press conference that lasted barely three minutes.
Simeone praised his players: "They showed me that you have to compete in the game. If you give it your all, you go home happy. I have no negative feelings. There are coaches who are envious of me for having these players".
Barcelona are back in the semi-finals of the Champions League, having been knocked out in the quarters last season by Atlético de Madrid.
This is the eighth time the Catalans have got to the semis in the last ten years, which only goes to illustrate the club's might on the European stage. They have won the tournament on three occasions in that period - in 2006 (in Paris), 2009 (in Rome) and 2011 (in London) - and are now looking in fine fettle to lift 'Ol' Big Ears' again in Berlin.
Going into last season's competition, Barça had been riding a streak of six straight semi-finals appearances. However, Atlético brought the run to an end thanks to a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou and a 1-0 victory at the Calderón, secured through Koke's early effort.
Now, after disposing of Paris Saint-Germain home and away, the 'Azulgranas' are returning to what seems to have become their natural habitat. This makes it seven semi-finals in eight years.
Besides Atlético, Liverpool are the only side who have prevented Barça from reaching the last four over the past decade, back in 2007, when the Reds prevailed at the last-16 stage.
After scoring the winning goal on the night, the Mexican highlighted a massive team effort, saying that "it was a derby, a team effort, I got to score, but everyone played their part", before adding, with regards to his current situation, that: "I was patient, my teammates had faith in me, as did my family and this goal is for them".
When asked if had been the most important goal of his career, the former Manchester United man said: "It's all about the now. Every goal I score is important, but it was a team effort. It was a great assist from Cristiano and the whole team did an amazing job".
On starting tonight's game: Chicharito said, "Ancelotti told me to get ready and to do what I've done in other games".
On the opposition: He said, "Atlético reached the final and won the league, they're worthy rivals", adding that "in order to win the Champions League you have to beat all-comers".
