Three out of the four UCL semi-finalists this season are in the top five wealthiest clubs in the world. But will their large coffers ensure clinching Europe's most coveted title?

Last week, football fans were treated to two mouth-watering clashes as the semi-finals of this season's Champions League kicked off. Six goals were scored among the four teams involved, three of which - Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus - are either already champions or at the top of their respective leagues. And the fourth, Real Madrid is still in contention to become the first team to successfully defend their European crown since the continent's premier competition was re-formatted in 1992.

Europe's high rollers with Real Madrid at the ultra-VIP table

Moreover, a closer look at this quartet will also reveal another interesting fact: they are all among the wealthiest sides in world football. As per Spanish organisation "Ticketbis", Real Madrid, which also happens to be one of their locally based clubs, pulled in over half a billion euros - €549.5 million - and is valued at a massive €3.1 billion.

Real Madrid, whose ten UCL titles make them Europe's most decorated club, were ranked first in income and overall value ahead of fellow La Liga side Barcelona

Not too shabby for a team that can definitely lay claim to being the continent's most successful side. Currently, with a vital away goal in hand, they still do have a shot at making it to Berlin - and as their fans would hope, to make it a record-setting 11th Champions League title this June.

So, given that they are the wealthiest club as per this Spanish study, one would assume that they would have the highest paid coach, most compensated star player, and made the most expensive signing this summer, correct?

If one answered "yes", one would be wrong on all counts. But, fortunately, perhaps for Real Madrid supporters, Barcelona does not trump them in all of these three categories. Rather, the Blaugrana have to split these categories with a team that has been criticised for some of their dealings in the transfer market and have been even accused of deliberately trying to turn their domestic league into a one-horse race.

Bayern Munich: Excellent compensation for the tactician on the bench...but it comes at a price

Once upon a time (not long ago), Bayern Munich were known as "FC Hollywood" in the German press. Initially, in the mid-90's, it was not intended as a compliment, as the players - and manager - were more known in the gossip pages for their antics than work on the pitch. Yet, under Louis Van Gaal, the name did come back, except in a more flattering fashion as die Roten pulled off several great escapes both at the domestic and continental level.

Germany has long enjoyed its position as one of the wealthier and economically stable countries in Europe and traditionally, many of the nations clubs' finances also reflect this. Still, Bayern's €487.5 million in income is not enough to topple Real Madrid's massive haul. Nor is their overall value of €1.7 billion enough to compete with Barcelona's €2.9 billion. Nonetheless, their coach, Pep Guardiola, again according to "Ticketbis", enjoys a reported annual pay of €9.3 million - €1.8 million more than Carlo Ancelotti's €7.5 million annual earnings as per their findings.

The biggest earner: Guardiola's apparent €9.3 million income is more than Barcelona's Luis Enrique (who earns €5.5 million) and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri combined

Yet, if reports are to be believed, this may be the last season Guardiola enjoys his position as the world's highest-compensated manager. Bayern are notoriously ruthless and demanding, and rightfully so given that they are one of Europe's most prominent sides. With another semi-final failure becoming a reality due to a 3-0 first leg loss to Barcelona, die Bayern fans could see some changes on the tactician's bench next term.

The age-old debate: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo sees the Argentinian again come out on top...

Given that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are in the final four, La Liga fans are practically salivating with the thought of a possible El Classico final. The Blaugrana are well on their way after outclassing Bayern at the Camp Nou, courtesy of yet another brilliant performance from their talismanic star man Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are certainly not out of the running yet and could seal their spot in Germany's capital with just one goal at their home ground next week.

And with the possibility of these two Spanish giants facing off on the continent's biggest competition, naturally, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be pitted against each other. With seven Ballon d'Or titles between the two of them, and both simply breaking records left and right like it's the norm, expect this debate to rage on for a bit longer between their most passionate followers.

In terms of money, it's Messi who comes out on top, with "Ticketbis" putting the four-time Ballon d'Or winner's salary at €18 million to 20 million. Cristiano Ronaldo follows with €17.5 million. Meanwhile, the same report estimates French star Franck Ribery, who was nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2013 alongside the La Liga star duo, as making €6 million for Bayern. 

Messi tops CR7 with a total of €65 million pulled in versus the Portuguese ace's €54 million. One of these two will finish the tournament as the top marksman

...and Barcelona's latest acquisition also has something to brag about, too

Real Madrid are a team known for making big money purchases. Just think of players like Gareth Bale, and naturally, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. This time around, it was Colombian international James Rodriguez, who quickly vaulted to stardom after his excellent performance at last summer's World Cup.

In forking out a massive €80 million for his services, the 10-time Champions League winners looked set to be the side who made the most expensive signing during the 2014 summer transfer window.

Until then, Barcelona upped them by €1 million and paid a reported €81 million for Liverpool star Luis Suarez.

Suarez beats his fellow South American as La Liga's most expensive signing in 2014

Can the underdog surprise everyone and take it all?

Finally, Juventus, who are viewed as the tournament's dark horses despite their dominance in Italy, are indeed the underdog when it comes to money. Due to Serie A having fallen on tough times fiscally, la Vecchia Signora lag well behind the other three when it comes to pay for their coach (as per "Ticketbis" findings, Allegri only earns about €2 million) overall value (774 million) and annual income (€279.4 million).

Correspondingly, even their personnel pay for their key players looks quite paltry when compared to the massive salaries earned by Messi and CR7. Top goalscorer Carlos Tevez, along with rising star Paul Pogba, apparently pulls in €4.5 million per year for the Bianconeri.

Juve did surprise some by being able to hold off Real Madrid to record a solid 2-1 win in Turin. Then again, calcio followers would not have been really shocked by the result because the Scudetto champs have been largely unbeatable at Juventus Stadium (save for a loss to Fiorentina two months ago in the Coppa Italia). Still, they will face a tough task ahead to maintain their slender advantage to secure their first Champions League final in 12 seasons.

Should Allegri - a rookie compared to more experienced managers like Ancelotti and Guardiola, at least on the continent -  manage to lift the trophy, it would be a highly impressive feat and more important, illustrate a perfect example of "stretching one's euro" or "splashing cash does not always equal success".

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Bayern München 3 - 2 Barcelona

May 12, 2015 2:45pmAllianz Arena, Munich, Germany

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Real Madrid 1 - 1 Juventus

May 13, 2015 2:45pmEstadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)

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