The Champions league is down to the semifinals — and clubs from Europe's four biggest football nations still have a shot at the title.
For the first time since 1981, teams from Spain (Real Madrid), England (liverpool), Italy (Roma) and Germany (Bayern Munich) make up the last four of Europe's elite club competition.
Three of them are aristocrats of the continent, with Madrid, Bayern and liverpool having won the competition 22 times between them. Roma have never been European champions but cannot be discounted after their historic comeback against Barcelona in the quarterfinals.
lIVERPOOl vs ROMA
Much of the talk ahead of Tuesday's match between the two surprising teams in this season's competition has centered on Mohamed Salah, liverpool's prolific forward who joined from Roma in June in a 42 million euro (then $47 million) transfer.
Salah has scored 41 goals in all competitions — eight of which have come in the Champions league.
"We've warned him not to do anything special or he'll be for it!" said Roma right back Bruno Peres. "Before the match, we're not thinking about friendship, after it, yes.
"We know what he's capable of and we know he's in brilliant form."
Roma hold a special place in the hearts of those associated with liverpool. The English club won the first of its five European titles in Rome in 1977, and got its fourth seven years later by beating Roma in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
That was the only other season in which the Italian club advanced as far as the semifinals. liverpool last got this far in 2008.
liverpool came through the playoff round in August and is the only unbeaten team in the Champions league. It is also the competition's top-scoring team with 33 goals, five coming against Manchester City in the quarterfinals.
Anfield can be an intimidating fortress for liverpool in Europe, starting with the pre-match "welcome" of the visiting team bus through the narrow streets outside the stadium. liverpool can destroy opponents in quick bursts chiefly via their attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Yet Roma are full of confidence after a stunning 3-0 victory over Barcelona that saw the team reach the semifinals on away goals.
Both clubs are American-owned: liverpool are linked to the owners of the Boston Red Sox, while Roma president James Pallotta has a stake in the Boston Celtics.
Klopp’s warning
Jurgen Klopp urged liverpool fans to think about the club's global image when the Roma players arrive at Anfield for the first leg of the Champions league semifinals on Tuesday.
liverpool supporters pelted Manchester City's bus with cans, bottles and flares as it weaved down the narrow streets outside the stadium before the first leg in the quarterfinals.
Klopp said at the time he was "ashamed" and "embarrassed" by the behavior, and warned against a repeat of those ugly pre-match scenes when Roma arrives.
"This is such a fantastic football club, outstanding football family, known for fantastic atmospheres all over the world," Klopp said Monday, "so we don't need to throw whatever at the bus. Please show the respect they deserve."
UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against liverpool after the attack on City's team bus, charging the English club with acts of damage and crowd disturbances.
The case will not be heard by UEFA's disciplinary body until May 31 — after the Champions league final — meaning any sanctions would apply only next season. A second bout of violence could lead to stronger punishment and even see UEFA fast-track sanctions ahead of the second leg in Rome next week.
"I really think we can show how wonderful liverpool people are and the city and the spirit of the club," Klopp said, "and we can show in the 20 minutes before the game and then the whole world knows it.
"I really think all the people who are with liverpool FC deserve that we show this fact."
The intimidating atmosphere outside and inside Anfield seemed to affect City, which lost 3-0 in the first leg.
"They created the most special atmosphere in world football," Klopp said. "I don't know if it can be better than it was against Man City, but let's try. If you cannot enjoy these moments, then there is something wrong with you."