New Delhi: Tonight, the 2024–25 Champions League semi-finalists will be revealed as the competition to become the European champions heats up. With high-stakes matches where the world’s finest players compete, Europe’s premier championship never fails to captivate audiences worldwide. Last week’s first legs delivered the drama, intensity, and quality that fans have come to expect. However, two of the top eight have already booked their places in the semis, as Barcelona and PSG both were given major scares in their respective second legs. It Dortmund who were just edged by Hansi Flick’s side after their overall tie ended 5-3, with Dortmund winning the second leg 3-1.
On the other hand, PSG also managed to progress through, but Aston Villa proved to be a tough nut to crack at Villa Park. Now, moving on to the remaining fixtures, Real Madrid will be hoping to create history and produce a comeback for ages at Bernebeu against Arsenal, while Inter will look to preserve their 2-1 lead at San Siro against the German giants Bayern Munich.
Inter vs Bayern Munich (12:30 AM IST)
Inter will be welcoming Bayern Munich in their quarterfinal second leg and they hope to go to the Champions League semi-finals for just the fourth time in this century. In a rematch of the 2010 Champions League final, which was Inter’s final title in Europe’s top league, the Nerazzurri won the first leg last week 2-1 at the Allianz Arena, with Davide Frattesi’s late goal giving them a lead to defend at San Siro.
Under Simone Inzaghi’s coaching, Inter has established themselves as a very difficult team to defeat. They made it to the competition’s final in 2022–2023 and might very well repeat that run this year. They will guarantee their spot in the last four and get closer to the main event if they defeat their German opponents in the middle of the week.
Bayern is hoping for a second consecutive trip to the Champions League semifinals after becoming much more prolific in recent years. Vincent Kompany has a very good team that can silence the home crowd on Wednesday, even though the odds are stacked against them in Milan. They need to travel more clinically since the counterattacking Italians undid them last week.
Predicted Lineups:
Inter (5-3-2): Sommer; Darmian, Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan; Thuram, Martinez.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane.
Prediction: INT 1-1 BAY
Real Madrid vs Arsenal (12:30 AM IST)
Real Madrid have a monsrtrous task in front of their own fans against Mikel Arteta’s determined Gunners. Coming bacvk from a 3-0 deficit isn’t something that every team can achieve, but Real Madrid is a team that makes it look very much possible. Thanks to two spectacular free kicks from Declan Rice and the accurate shooting of temporary center-forward Mikel Merino, the record 15-time winners were humiliated in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, losing 3-0.
Only four teams in Champions League history have been able to overcome a three-goal disadvantage after their second-half collapse. Madrid at the Bernabeu however, is the only team capable of accomplishing the seemingly impossible. Although they haven’t played at their all-time best this season, Los Blancos have an unexplainable charm when it comes to Champions League knockout round nights. Arsenal cannot afford to lose early in Spain and will need to be exceedingly cautious of an incredible comeback.
They have a strong counterattacking threat and an outstanding defensive record that gives them a chance to contain Madrid’s great strikers. The Gunners will make it to the semifinals for the first time since 2008–09 if they avoid losing by three goals or more.
Predicted Lineups:
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Tchouameni, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Prediction: RMA 2-0 ARS
Where to watch the matches?
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals Inter vs Bayern Munich and Real Madrid vs Arsenal will be broadcast live on the Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD channels in India. Fans can catch the live streaming on the SonyLiv website and app.
As we prepare for the next leg of Champions League quarter finals, it will be Inter looking to maintain their slim lead against Bayern Munich at San Siro and Real Madrid will be looking to produce a miraculous remontada against Arsenal at Bernebeu. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
