the first two matches

NYON, Switzerland -- In a stellar pairing of clubs who won Europes top title 14 times, Real Madrid will play Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals. Discount Nike Shoes . Atletico Madrid and Chelsea were matched in the other semifinal as UEFA threatened the English club with sanctions if it tried to enforce a pay-to-play clause written in the contract for loaning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to its Spanish opponent since 2011. On the field, the city of Madrid will host the first two matches on April 22 and 23, as Atletico first hosts Chelsea at the Vicente Calderon Stadium one night before Madrid welcomes defending champion Bayern to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. "We are the teams who are playing the most attractive football right now," former Bayern and Real Madrid great Paul Breitner said. Nine-time champion Madrid and five-time winner Bayern have also been runner-up a further eight times, yet never met in the final. Bayern is looking to become the first team in 24 years to repeat as Europes top club after cruising to the German league title. "We acknowledge that Bayern Munich, since the beginning of the season, the performance has been amazing," Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said. "But we are Real Madrid and when we compete, we compete to win." Atletico will face the 2012 champions, who the Spanish club routed 4-1 in the UEFA Super Cup two years ago. A potential dispute over Courtois appeared to be resolved by UEFA one hour before Fridays draw. Chelsea has a contract clause entitling payment for letting the Belgium international play for Atletico against the club which signed him two years ago as a long-term successor to veteran Petr Cech. "It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned," the European football authority said in a statement. Atletico director Clemente Villaverde noted that UEFA rules were different to those in the English and Spanish leagues, which allow clauses barring loaned players from opposing their original club. "UEFA has the competence in this matter," said Villaverde, stressing that his club had good relations with Chelsea. Madrid-Bayern is a repeat of the semifinals two years ago decided by a penalty shootout at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after each team won 2-1 at home. Then, Cristiano Ronaldo was among three Madrid players who failed to score from the spot. The semifinal lineup includes three coaches who each have two Champions League titles with other clubs: Bayerns Pep Guardiola won with Barcelona in 2009 and 11; Madrids Carlo Ancelotti with Milan in 2003 and 07; Chelseas Jose Mourinho with FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 10. Mourinho could become the first to coach three different clubs to the European title. Guardiola and Ancelotti aim to become the fifth coach to guide two different clubs to the title. The odd man out, Atletico coach Diego Simeone, won a Europa League title with the club in 2012. Ancelotti also played for AC Milan when it was the last back-to-back champion, winning the European Cup in 1989 and 90. The Italian coach is seeking to take Real Madrid to its first final in 12 years. Under Mourinho, it lost in the semifinals for the past three seasons. "Im confident we can do what is needed to win," Ancelotti said. "Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world and the series against Bayern will be difficult for both teams." The return matches will be played on April 29 in Munich and the following night in London. The final is scheduled for May 24 at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. Nike Shoes Sale . In an interview with La Presse this week, the five-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time NHL scoring leader specifically took aim at wingers Thomas Vanek and Max Pacioretty, saying they cant show up in a 7-4 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final and come up empty in Game 6. Cheap Nike Shoes Free Shipping . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto.Injured Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos said hes feeling better after taking a day off from practice on Monday because his leg didnt feel right. Stamkos took to the ice at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday morning - where the Lightning prepared to face the Toronto Maple Leafs - wearing a regular blue jersey and skated for about 20 minutes. "It felt a lot better today," Stamkos said after the skate. "Just pain in certain areas. The bone is really strong, the x-rays look good - its more soft tissue issues." Stamkos added that he still hopes to get games under his belt before the Olympic break and also discussed the possibility of playing in Sochi even if he doesnt play an NHL game first. "The objective is to play a game (in the NHL), that would be something I would really love to do," he explained to the large scrum of reporters. "But if thats not the case, theres going to be another discussion about whether or not Im still going to be on that team if I cant play a game. Weve had brief discussions about that, its more or less been Well cross that bridge when (if) we need to." Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman just happens to be his NHL general manager in Tampa and Stamkos is prepared to have a discussion with him on all of his options. "If we have to sit down a couple of days before we have to leave for the Olympics, we can be honest with each other," Stamkos said of his eventual chat with Yzerman. "If I say that Im at the level I think I need to be at to competee at the Olympics, I think hes going to have the trust in me that I can go over there and play at that level. Wholesale Nike Shoes. But at the end of the day, I have to be honest with him. If I say Im not ready, obviously Im not going to go." When asked about Stamkos comments that going to Sochi without playing an NHL game was a possibility, Yzerman confirmed its among the different options, again very much depending on where he is physically. "Were not going to rule anything out," Yzerman told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun over on the phone Tuesday. "We dont really have to jump to any conclusions yet. Its one step at a time. A week ago he had the X-Ray at the 10-week mark and the doctors advised him to increase the intensity of his workouts on and off the ice and see how he responds to that. So thats what hes done for the last week. Hes still hopeful to play at some point next week but we dont know yet if thats realistic or not. "Once he gets home from the trip hell meet again with the doctors and see what they come up with at that point. But until hes cleared for a game, whether its prior to leaving or not, theres not much really to say, but were going to keep all the options open and make the appropriate decisions when the time comes." Stamkos fractured the tibia in his right leg in a Nov. 11 game against the Boston Bruins and underwent surgery the following day. He had 14 goals and 23 points in 17 games before the injury. The Lightnings final game before the Olympic break is Saturday, Feb. 8 against the Detroit Red Wings. ' ' '