The 2014-15 UEFA Champions League has almost reached its climax, as the remaining teams have moved to the semifinal stage. All four clubs have lifted the European Cup in the past, three of them in the last five years. That no English team has made to this stage for the second time in three seasons is a narrative itself, as it wasn’t long ago that the Premier League was providing three UCL semifinalists on a regular basis.

The first semifinal starts Tuesday with the opening leg between Juventus and Real Madrid. Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996, and this is the furthest they’ve gone in the competition since 2003. However, the Italian side does boast several key players – Patrice Evra & Andrea Pirlo – who have winners’ medals with different clubs, while Gianluigi Buffon continues to provide a sturdy presence in goal. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have no intent on relinquishing their title, although they were made to work in the quarterfinal to defeat bitter rivals and 2014 runner-up Atlético Madrid. Los Blancos are seeking to become the first repeat winners of this competition in the modern era.

The second semifinal begins Wednesday with Barcelona facing Bayern Munich. These two clubs have a recent history in the Champions League, with the Catalans winning decisively in the 2009 quarterfinals, only for the German club to return the favor in the 2013 semifinals. Bayern faced adversity in this year’s quarterfinal, facing a 3-1 deficit to Porto after the first leg in Portugal. How did they respond? A 6-1 rout in Munich. Whether they’re capable of producing a similar performance should they struggle at the Nou Camp will be something to watch. Barça, meanwhile, have at times been viewed as a team with players well into the second half of their careers, but they’ve continued to perform at a high level en route to the last four in 2015.

Seven of the last nine titles have gone to either Barcelona or the club that beat them in the semifinals. Another superstition that could help Bayern: the last two Champions League titles following World Cups have gone to clubs from that world champion country. With the Final in Berlin, does that give Bayern Munich an edge? Expect a wild ride in the semifinals.