This week will determine the four semifinalists of the Champions League 2024-25 season. The semifinals are scheduled for April 29-20 and May 6-7, leading up to the final on May 31 in Munich. Barcelona and PSG are in a favorable position to reach the semifinals, while Real Madrid faces a challenge after losing to Arsenal in the first leg. Bayern Munich needs to recover against Inter Milan after a first-leg defeat at home.
The Champions League quarterfinal second legs will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. Barcelona will play against Borussia Dortmund after a significant first-leg victory, and Aston Villa will face PSG following a defeat in Paris on Tuesday. Inter Milan will host Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid will play against Arsenal in Madrid.
The winner of the Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund quarterfinal will play against either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich. The winner of the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid match will face the winner of the PSG vs. Aston Villa tie. Let`s analyze each upcoming game.
Barcelona in Strong Position
Barcelona has a significant advantage compared to Real Madrid. They won their first leg against Borussia Dortmund 4-0 and are close to securing a semifinal spot where they could potentially face Inter Milan or Bayern Munich. Barcelona will travel to Dortmund, a familiar ground for their striker Robert Lewandowski, who played there before joining Bayern Munich. Barcelona aims to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2019.
PSG Aiming for Semifinals
PSG is in a good position to reach the Champions League semifinals after a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa. They could potentially face Arsenal or Real Madrid in the next round. This could be PSG`s second consecutive semifinal appearance. Having already secured the Ligue 1 title, PSG is focused on winning the Champions League for the first time, a major goal for manager Luis Enrique.
Real Madrid`s Comeback Challenge
The Real Madrid vs. Arsenal match is highly anticipated as Real Madrid seeks to overcome a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Arsenal. Real Madrid has a history of remarkable comebacks in the Champions League, particularly in the 2021-22 season. However, Arsenal demonstrated their strength in the first leg, and Real Madrid is dealing with injuries. Despite the difficulty, Real Madrid players and fans believe a comeback at the Bernabeu is possible.
Inter Looks to Upset Bayern
Inter Milan will host Bayern Munich in a potentially tight quarterfinal matchup after winning the first leg 2-1 in Munich. A victory for Inter would be a significant achievement and a setback for Bayern Munich. Inter is aiming for another strong Champions League run after reaching the final in 2023. Winning the Champions League would be a major accomplishment for Inter, who have won it three times, with their last title in 2010 under Jose Mourinho.
Dominic Ashworth