The Liga BBVA reigns supreme in the Champions League

The Liga BBVA is, for yet another season, the dominant force in the UEFA Champions League. For the fifth consecutive season, two Spanish teams will feature in the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will be representing the division on this occasion.

Barcelona came through their quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain without too much difficulty, sealing a 5-1 aggregate scoreline that leaves them as one of the big favourites to lift the UEFA Champions League in Berlin. Meanwhile, Real Madrid saw off opponents Atlético Madrid in a vibrant tie that was decided in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Last season, it was a similar story. Real Madrid and Atlético took their places in the semi-finals, los rojiblancos knocking out Barcelona in the last eight. Los blancos came up against fearsome opposition in the shape of FC Bayern in the semis, while Atleti took on Chelsea FC. Both clubs made it through to the next round after playing and winning their away return legs. In the final, held in Lisbon, los madridistas claimed 'La Décima' after a thrilling period of extra-time.

The two Spanish sides that got through to this stage of the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League season were Real Madrid and Barcelona. The semi-finals that year threw up two Hispano-German clashes: los madridistas took on Borussia Dortmund, while los azulgranas faced FC Bayern. The Bundesliga sides more of less wrapped things up in the first leg encounters to triumph and make it an all-German final.

The year before that, during the 2011/12 edition of the competition, Real Madrid and Barcelona were once again the two Spanish sides that made it to the semi-final stage and, just as would happen twelve months later, both were denied a place in the grand final. The Catalans were up against Chelsea FC, who first won in Stamford Bridge and then managed a draw in the Camp Nou, a result that saw the then Pep Guardiola-managed team exit the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid took on FC Bayern and went out in the cruellest way of all: after a penalty shoot-out. The English side won the final on penalties, thus giving Bayern a taste of the same medicine the Bavarians had administered to Real Madrid.

The same two clubs flew the flag for Spain five seasons ago: Real Madrid and Barcelona. That year they crossed paths in the penultimate round, meaning one of them was guaranteed to reach the final. After winning 0-2 in the Santiago Bernabéu and drawing 1-1 in the Camp Nou, Barcelona sealed their spot in the Wembley final. The other semi-final saw Manchester United take on FC Schalke 04, a tie the English outfit came out of on top. Barcelona lifted their fourth Champions League title in London after beating the British side 3-1.