The Champions League is entering its most decisive phase. With the final quarterfinal matches completed on Wednesday, the eight teams that remained in contention have been narrowed down to four.
Yesterday, one team from each side of the bracket secured their place in the penultimate round of the Champions League. On the left side, PSG struggled more than expected to eliminate Aston Villa, who nearly overturned the advantage gained by the Parisians in the first leg (3-2, 4-5 on aggregate).
On the right side, FC Barcelona also had to work hard to secure their spot in the semifinals. Borussia Dortmund put the Blaugrana against the ropes, but the resounding 4-0 victory at Montjuïc proved too much for the Germans to overcome (3-1, 3-5 on aggregate).
The remaining two tickets to the semifinals were distributed yesterday. On the left side, Arsenal triumphed at the Santiago Bernabéu, inflicting a painful 1-5 aggregate defeat on Real Madrid. On the right side, a draw was enough for Inter to eliminate Bayern Munich, denying them a final at home.
The stage is now set for two compelling semifinal matchups:
- Arsenal vs. PSG: A clash of European giants, pitting Arsenal’s attacking prowess against PSG’s star-studded lineup.
- FC Barcelona vs. Inter: A rematch of a classic Champions League encounter, with Barcelona seeking revenge against a resilient Inter side.
When are the Champions League semifinals played?
The first legs of the Champions League semifinals will be played between April 29th and 30th, while the second legs will take place between May 6th and 7th.
As with the quarterfinals, the team that will host the second leg of the semifinals was determined in the draw last January. On the left side, it will be PSG, while Inter will do the same on the right side.
Champions League semifinal dates
First Leg
- 04/29: Arsenal vs PSG: 3 PM (ET)
- 04/30: FC Barcelona vs Inter: 3 PM (ET)
Second Leg
- 05/06: Inter vs FC Barcelona: 3 PM (ET)
- 05/07: PSG vs Arsenal: 3 PM (ET)
The semifinals promise to deliver thrilling soccer action as the four remaining teams battle for a place in the Champions League final. With a mix of established powerhouses and rising contenders, the competition is wide open, and anything can happen. Soccer fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this captivating tournament.