The football world will probably remember the heroic efforts of Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa for many days. Both teams played excellent football at home. But, it was not enough to reach the quarter-finals. Barcelona and PSG had already booked their tickets to the semi-finals by eliminating them in the quarter-finals. This time, their partners are Arsenal and Inter Milan.
Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years, ending Real Madrid’s comeback hopes at the Santiago Bernabeu. Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich at home at the San Siro has sent them into the last four.
Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal and Inter Milan are the four teams in the Champions League. Four of Europe’s top five leagues will be represented in the semi-finals. PSG will face Arsenal and Barcelona will face Inter Milan.
The Barca-Inter duel between the two semi-final lineups has been seen before. Barca faced Inter in the semi-finals in 2010. Then Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan stopped Pep Guardiola’s Barca 3-2 on aggregate. Thanks to Inter’s unstoppable journey, Real brought Mourinho to their camp. Which later completely changed the course of modern football through the Guardiola-Mourinho duel.
Even though that team is gone, the old heat will definitely provide fuel for Barcelona. Along with the pain of not being able to play in the Champions League final for 10 years, the Blues-Granadas are also with them.
Arsenal have passed their biggest test this season by defeating Real Madrid. The Gunners have made it to the last four after losing 5-1 on aggregate. Despite regularly stumbling in the domestic league, Mikel Arteta’s men are running great in the Champions League. And their opponent PSG has already won the league title.
PSG, of course, will play in England for three consecutive rounds. Their opponent in the Round of Sixteen was Liverpool. They played against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals. And they will have to play against Arsenal in the semi-finals.
Semi-final first leg:
Inter Milan vs Barcelona (April 29, 1:00 AM)
Arsenal vs PSG (April 30, 1:00 AM)
Second leg:
Barcelona vs Inter Milan (May 6, 1:00 AM)
PSG vs Arsenal (May 7, 1:00 AM)
