Contrary to the hackneyed cliché, penalty shootouts are not a lottery. Scoring and saving penalties are skills in their own right, while strategy and psychology also play their part.
Off the pace in the Champions League and the Spanish top flight last season, Real Madrid have bounced back strongly to give themselves a strong shot at securing both.Barcelona lifted the Spanish title last season on the basis of their strong backline, and while their defence has become more porous, Madrid's is now the best in Spain.
Manchester City and Chelsea lock horns at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in a tasty FA Cup semifinal.
Arsenal fan Charlene Smith believes winning the home leg was vital for Mikel Arteta's side if they were to make it past Bayern Munich and reach the Champions League semi-finals. The Gunners could not take a lead to Munich despite no Bayern fans being allowed to attend the first leg at Emirates Stadium last week and exited the competition to a second-half Joshua Kimmich header at the Allianz Arena. "It's the lack of experience," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.