Following an exciting set of first-leg matches, the UEFA Champions League semifinals are set for their conclusion this week, with all four remaining teams vying for a coveted spot in the final scheduled for May 31.
The action resumes on Tuesday in Milan, where Inter will host Barcelona after their thrilling 3-3 draw in the initial encounter. Simone Inzaghi`s side bounced back from a difficult patch with a strong offensive showing in Barcelona, including two goals from Denzel Dumfries originating from a set piece. This performance was particularly notable against a strong attacking setup from Hansi Flick`s team, highlighted by another exceptional display from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal in his 100th appearance for the club.
On Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain return to their home ground in the French capital holding a 1-0 lead over Arsenal. Luis Enrique`s squad capitalized on the Gunners` slow start in London last week, with Ousmane Dembele scoring the decisive goal just four minutes into the match. The game later evolved into a tactical battle, with PSG effectively absorbing Arsenal`s pressure in the final 20 minutes, also benefiting from Arsenal`s missed opportunities in front of goal.
With a trip to the final at Munich`s Allianz Arena at stake, here`s what fans need to know before the upcoming matches.How to Watch
Coverage for each matchday will begin on CBS and Paramount+ with the “UEFA Champions League Today” pre-match show, followed by the live game broadcast. The coverage then shifts to CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ for the post-match analysis. Additionally, a new episode of “The Champions Club” will be available on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube.
This week also introduces “Beckham and Friends,” an alternative live broadcast featuring Champions League winner David Beckham, which will air during both matches on Paramount+.First Leg Scores
- Arsenal 0, Paris Saint-Germain 1
- Barcelona 3, Inter 3
Key Storylines
1. Can Inter Milan complete the upset?
Although Inter entered the first leg on a poor run of form, they seized the moment in Barcelona and, heading into the home leg, might feel confident about their prospects. The main question for the often inconsistent Inter is whether they can replicate their attacking performance from the first leg with a place in the Champions League final on the line.
Inter might look to exploit a vulnerable Barcelona defense, whose strategy has often relied on simply outscoring opponents, despite having a goalkeeper prone to errors. However, Inter demonstrated their own strengths last week. They welcomed back Marcus Thuram, who scored just 30 seconds into the first leg after missing the previous three matches. They also proved highly effective from set pieces, a tactic they may employ again. Despite winning their last two games and the tie being finely balanced, Inter are not necessarily favored to advance. Barcelona`s potent attack, led by rising star Yamal, poses a significant threat. Furthermore, Inter may be without their leading scorer, Lautaro Martinez, who sustained an injury in the first leg. While the scoreline is level, advancing from this semifinal could still be an uphill battle for Inter.
2. Can Arsenal mount a comeback?
Arsenal remains competitive in their Champions League tie against PSG, but the initial 20 minutes of last week`s match highlighted their susceptibility to the French champions` effective press. Manager Mikel Arteta faces the challenge of devising a strategy to counter this in the second leg.
Clues for a potential comeback lie in the latter part of the first leg, where Arsenal gained momentum but were hindered by missed scoring opportunities that could have leveled the aggregate score. While poor finishing is theoretically correctable, the performance underscored Arsenal`s season-long issue: the absence of a clinical, out-and-out striker. In a tie where they critically need at least one goal, finding a solution for this will be crucial. They must achieve this while also managing the threat posed by a PSG side equally focused on scoring. Ousmane Dembele is enjoying one of his most prolific seasons at the club level. This tie could still swing either way, but the pressure is firmly on Arsenal to deliver a performance that secures their progression.
