For the sixth year in a row, the Champions League will not have a repeat winner. The quarterfinal clashes produced some incredible moments and drama, with famous comebacks at the heart of the action. The semifinal clashes promise to be even more intriguing and heated. Here’s a preview of the eagerly anticipated first-leg encounters.
Champions League | Bayern München vs Real Madrid | 30 April | 21:00
While Bayern are still suffering from the heartache of surrendering their Bundesliga crown earlier this month, Thomas Tuchel’s men have improved considerably in recent fixtures, winning their previous four matches in succession, including a 1-0 triumph over Arsenal in the quarterfinals of this competition. Ahead of hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday night, Bayern continued their impressive stride with a tight 2-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the league on Saturday.
The Bavarians have won eight of their last nine matches at the Allianz Arena, a run stretching back to 21 January. Tuchel’s charges are unbeaten in five home encounters in the Champions League this season, drawing just once against Copenhagen in Matchday 4. Having missed out on the weekend, Jamal Musiala is expected to recover in time for Madrid’s visit.
Having edged past favorites Manchester City in the quarterfinals, the mood in the Real Madrid camp is extremely high. Ahead of visiting Germany, Los Blancos secured a decisive 1-0 win over Real Sociedad over the weekend and moved closer to lifting their record-extending 35th league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have suffered just a single defeat in 23 appearances across all competitions since the turn of the year. Lucas Vazquez is expected to replace the suspended Dani Carvajal at right-back.
Having missed Friday’s win over Sociedad, in-form Rodrygo is likely to return and form a fearsome attacking trident with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
Madrid have kept two clean sheets in their previous six fixtures on the road; I expect them to concede in Munich.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score (Yes) @ 1.56
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Champions League | Borussia Dortmund vs PSG | 1 May | 21:00
Dortmund’s preparation for the hugely important meeting with PSG was dealt a heavy blow as they suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss away to RB Leipzig during the weekend. Despite an awful domestic campaign by their standards, they have punched above their weight class in this competition to place themselves among contenders for the coveted crown.
Edin Terzic and Co. battled to a 5-4 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid in the previous round, making this their first semifinal entry since 2013.
Emre Can and Ian Maatsen are set to return having completed their suspensions in the quarterfinal second leg. Forwards Donyell Malen and Sebastian Haller have been ruled out completely.
Fresh from claiming their record-extending 12th Ligue 1 title after a thrilling 3-3 draw against top-flight debutants Le Havre over the weekend, the Parisians are enjoying a campaign to remember. They are on course for a quadruple this season, with the French Trophy Champions already secured.
An entertaining 6-4 aggregate triumph over Barcelona in the previous round ensured PSG’s qualification to the semifinals, their third-ever appearance at this stage of the competition.
Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé are likely to play from the off against their former employers while ex-Bayern defender Lucas Hernandez is expected to play alongside Marquinhos at center-back.
The Parisians recorded a 2-0 win in the first meeting between the teams on Matchday 1, with the return encounter ending on level terms (1-1). At least two goals per game have been netted in the past four encounters between PSG and Dortmund.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score (Yes) @ 1.44
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