Valeria Paz, our Champions Journalist fan reporter, has got used to seeing her team in the semi-finals but knows that it’s not mission accomplished. Yet…

One of the benefits of supporting a club like Real Madrid is that, more often than not, you find yourself celebrating victories instead of agonising over defeats. After making the semi-finals for the 30th time, you might think that the gloss of reaching this stage has worn off. On the contrary. Considering how things were looking a few months ago, it’s an occasion to be celebrated.

While Zinédine Zidane remains in charge, Madrid fans will remain confident that the team will progress in the tournament, given his impeccable record as coach. The win over Liverpool was comfortable but it’s Chelsea next; as the competition starts to reach its crescendo, the excitement is building. It almost feels as if we’re riding a roller coaster now – nothing is guaranteed, every second matters.

This is when we need our captain back on the pitch. Injuries and Covid-19 issues have sidelined some important players and we’ll need to be back at full strength when we come up against Thomas Tuchel’s side. While I know that it will be a tough game, as a Madristita I can’t help but get a sense of excitement and confidence. I hope that with Zidane at the helm I’ll be watching the game with a smile on my face for (almost) the entire tie, rather than peeping through my fingers in despair.