Four teams remain in the Champions League, each pursuing the prestigious European title. Arsenal is set to face Paris Saint-Germain in a semifinal clash, with both teams aiming to secure their first-ever victory in the iconic tournament. On the other side, Barcelona and Inter Milan have a combined total of eight European titles, but their last triumphs were a decade or more ago.
Here is a breakdown of the upcoming matches and the four semifinalists:
Semifinal Dates:
– Arsenal will host Paris Saint-Germain on April 29 at their home ground in north London. PSG will then host the return leg on May 7 at Parc des Princes.
– Barcelona will play the first leg on April 30 at the 1992 Olympics stadium, with Inter hosting the second leg on May 6 at San Siro.
The winners of these matchups will advance to the final in Munich on May 31, vying for the highly coveted Champions League title.
Arsenal:
Managed by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has shown consistency throughout the season, securing a third-place finish in the league phase. They recorded impressive wins against PSG and Inter during the initial eight-game league program. Arsenal’s standout performance included a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the title.
Paris Saint-Germain:
PSG faced a challenging journey in the league phase but turned their campaign around with a remarkable comeback against Manchester City. The addition of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the knockout rounds boosted the team’s performance, leading to convincing wins in subsequent matches. Despite a recent loss to Aston Villa, PSG’s resilience and star-studded lineup, including Kylian Mbappé, make them strong contenders for the Champions League crown.
Barcelona:
Barcelona, a four-time Champions League winner, is led by coach Hansi Flick and boasts a potent attacking lineup featuring Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski. The team showcased their offensive prowess with a total of 37 goals scored in the competition. Barcelona’s unbeaten run in the league phase, coupled with impressive victories in the knockout rounds, solidifies their position as a formidable force in the tournament.
Inter Milan:
Inter Milan, with a rich history of European success, aims to add to their trophy cabinet after a lengthy title drought. The team’s resilience and tactical acumen have been on display throughout the tournament, with notable performances from young talents like Lamine Yamal. Inter’s journey to the semifinals signals their readiness to compete at the highest level and challenge for the prestigious Champions League title.
Inter Milan are currently balancing preparing for the semifinals while also competing for the top spot in a closely contested domestic title race and chasing success in the domestic cup. Known for their solid defense, the team has only conceded one goal during the league phase, showcasing their strength as a three-time European champion. The season kicked off with an impressive 0-0 draw against Man City in September, leading to a series of close 1-0 victories. However, their winning streak was interrupted by a late goal from Bayer Leverkusen’s Nordi Mukiele, the only player to breach Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer until Feyenoord scored a penalty in the round of 16. Recently, Inter secured a crucial 2-1 win against Bayern in the quarterfinals, with Lautaro MartÃnez emerging as a key player with eight Champions League goals. Their successful journey also includes a victory over Barcelona in the semis during their last Champions League win in 2010. For more soccer updates, visit the AP soccer hub: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
