Soccer Monday – review and guide

Editor's note: Every Monday we look back at the action-packed weekend so that you don't miss out on the tiniest detail and provide a guide of who and what to watch out for during the week ahead.

Matches to watch this week

Champions League semifinal: Juventus v Real Madrid

2:45 am Wednesday (Beijing Time)

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his third goal against Sevilla while his coach Carlo Ancelotti (L) watches him during their Spanish first division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville, southern Spain, May 2, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

When a Turin-based team playing trademark Italian-style soccer featuring grit and perseverance meets an attacking Spanish side headed by an Italian coach in front of whom an Italian lineup has nothing to hide, it's the clash of soccer philosophies that creates sparks.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had two disappointing seasons at Juventus between 1999 and 2001 before moving to AC Milan, where a highly decorated seven-year spell made him one of the most wanted coaches in the game.

Theoretically the Italian has no reason to concede to his former club's massive defending efforts, in which his own soccer philosophy is deeply rooted.

Ancelotti is set to count on one of the world's most feared frontlines, the big-name combination of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, to crack Juve's traditional tight defense that earned the Italian domestic champion the nickname "the old lady".

Both sides have creative midfielders that can make the match more entertaining. Real's Toni Kroos, Isco and James Rodriguez display both flexibility and precision, while Champions League veteran Andrea Pirlo has unparalleled experience to offer for Juve.