The presence of La Liga sides Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Champions League will "change the life of the city for the next week: security forces are making special preparations for two games that UEFA is considering high-risk," according to F. Javier Barroso of EL PAIS. The city was "expected to welcome 7,000 fans from England and Germany" -- Atlético and Chelsea played to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday -- and Real Madrid is scheduled to play Bayern Munich on Wednesday. For the Atlético-Chelsea match at the Vicente Calderón, more than 900 "officials were available, including 350 national police officers." Another "70 agents monitored the traffic near the stadium, among other responsibilities." The remaining 504 people "included 40 healthcare workers from Madrid's SAMUR emergency service and 36 from the Red Cross." The "same amount of employees from both SAMUR and the Red Cross were scheduled to be available for Wednesday's game" (EL PAIS, 4/21). MARCA reported "a total of more than 2,200 police officers, security guards and emergency healthcare workers will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday in Madrid before, during and after the Champions League matches." For the Real-Bayern match on Wednesday, "1,306 personnel were expected, including 350 national police officers and 80 local police officers." Madrid is "expecting 3,500 fans supporting Bayern Munich, including some ultras." Madrid Government Delegate Cristina Cifuentes "pointed out that both matches were considered 'high-risk.'" Cifuentes added that there would be "enough personnel to supervise whatever situation, and if necessary, to act" (MARCA, 4/22).
