The UEFA Champions League is usually a star-studded affair every year, and things were no different this time around. Having previously covered up to the Round of 16 last time, I am going to bring my unique takes to the quarterfinal and semifinal matchups leading up to today’s final.
Quarterfinals
Four Exciting First Legs
The first leg of this year’s Champions League had multiple talking points in April. All four matches went down to the wire and entertained fans, setting up several nail-biting second legs.
In a clash of European powerhouses, Arsenal and Bayern Munich squared off on April 9th. Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane showcased their top-level ability, securing crucial goals for their respective teams. The match might have ended in a 2-2 draw but there was drama and excitement throughout. Substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard connected on a pass to tie the game for the Gunners, who might’ve felt that they should’ve been awarded a penalty in the 90+3rd minute. Frenchman Kingsley Coman also missed a potential game-winner for Bayern in the 90th minute as well. The anticipation for the second leg on April 17th was very high!
April 9th also saw fans rewarded with the draw of Real Madrid and Manchester City, and the match did not disappoint. Madrid was looking to get revenge for last year, when City eliminated them in the semifinals in a seemingly one-sided affair. Bernardo Silva set the tone for the match with a goal in the second minute, putting the pressure on Madrid. However, a Ruben Dias own goal and Rodrygo goal came in quick succession to hurt City. Both teams were able to rally and tie the game 3-3, as Man City had two second-half goals to take the lead but Federico Valverde’s 79th minute strike ensured that Real weren’t going to just sit quietly. Heading back to Etihad Stadium in Manchester for the second leg is such an exciting way to finish off the series.
Despite the statistical advantage from Dortmund, Atletico Madrid managed to be victorious 2-1 against the German club on April 10th. The match highlighted the importance of converting opportunities into goals, with Atletico’s efficiency being the key factor in the win. As they looked ahead to the next rounds, both teams aimed to defy expectations and continue their impressive run as underdogs in the tournament.
Photo Cred: Daily Mail
The April 10th clash between PSG and Barcelona was also nail-biting, with both teams displaying moments of brilliance on the pitch. Barcelona edged out the Paris club 3-2, with Brazilian national team player Raphinha having a world-class performance. Barca must’ve been on a high as they went back to Paris for the second leg.
Photo Cred: Daily Sabah
The Time to Determine Winners: The Second Leg
Despite the first-leg deficit, BVB showed their class in an all-out 4-2 performance on April 16th. For all the talk about converting their chances in the first leg, it was the Bundesliga team that finished well this time. A double strike in the 34th and 39th minutes gave them the aggregate lead, but Mats Hummels conceded an own goal to keep things tied again. While Angel Correa might’ve thought he had done enough for Atleti in the 64th minute, Niclas Fullkrug and Marcel Sabitzer had other things in mind. Their double strike after the 70th minute ensured a 5-4 aggregate victory over the La Liga team to take Borussia Dortmund into the semis.
Another team that had to overcome a deficit, the Parisian giants dispatched Barcelona with three second-half goals on April 16th. While Raphinha led off the scoring, Kylian Mbappe reigned supreme in this matchup with two goals to win 4-1 and have a 6-4 aggregate victory as well. It was a testy matchup, with 22 fouls and nine yellow cards combined. The Blaugrana had to play a man down due to a 29th-minute red card to Ronald Araujo, and the floodgates did open after he left the field.
If April 16th was the day when teams made sure that their opponents had no chance of coming back, April 17th was a day of waiting to determine winners. Arsenal was not able to continue its run thanks to a 63rd Joshua Kimmich goal that broke the deadlock in the match and the aggregate. While Bayern only had 3/15 shots on target, all they needed was one to go in to advance to the semifinals.
Photo Cred: The Guardian
Finally, Real Madrid and Manchester City made sure that there was plenty of drama in a game that ended in a penalty shootout. Rodrygo got a 12th-minute goal to start things off, but Belgian midfield mastermind Kevin De Bruyne tied the score again in the 76th minute. Each time had extra time chances that weren’t converted, and then they had to go to penalties.
Photo Cred: Sporting News
Madridistas must’ve had their hearts up to their chests when Luka Modric missed the first Real penalty. However, Bernardo Silva’s tame chance and Mateo Kovacic’s attempt were stopped by Andriy Lunin to add pressure on City. Unfortunately for the Premier League side, Madrid went a perfect 4-for-4 in the remaining PKs, thus ensuring that the three Man City penalties were in vain. Los Blancos managed a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 tie (4-4 aggregate).
Semifinals
A First Leg Repeat of Close Games
April 30th and May 1st almost seemed like repeats of the first leg of the quarterfinals, with close scores determining the two matches. Real Madrid opened the scoring in a game that saw three more second-half goals scored in total. Leroy Sane and Harry Kane had goals in quick succession but, just as fans have come to expect, no lead has been safe so far. Vinicius Junior added an 83rd-minute penalty to have his second goal of the game to keep the leg drawn at two-all.
Meanwhile, BVB’s Fullkrug managed to add another goal to his tally early in the 36th minute, and that’s all that was needed for Dortmund to get the win. Both teams had low conversion percentages (4/13, 3/14). Chances may have gone missing, but this 1-0 scoreline was a defender’s dream. Gregor Kobel’s multiple saves still keep his Dortmund team in games.
Photo Cred: FC Barcelona Noticias
A Second Leg for the Ages!
In what could be one of his last games in the black and yellow, Mats Hummels’ 50th-minute goal was the decider in another 1-0 (2-0 aggregate) victory over PSG. Die Borussen only shot the ball seven times, with three on goal, playing smarter, not harder. Compare that to Les Parisiens going seven for a whopping 30 chances and not landing a single goal! Gregor Kobel and the Dortmund defense ends up with another clean sheet. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s possible last game in Paris ends his seven-year run on a sour note.
Did anyone think that this edition of the Champions League was not exciting enough? Well, look no further than the second leg of Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid! After a scoreless first half, Alphonso Davies’ 68th-minute shot might’ve kept the German giants’ hopes for a 2024 trophy alive. They did have five shots on goal out of eight chances. Things were looking on the up… and then a man named Joselu (who is on loan, I might add) flipped the script. An 88th-minute goal was not enough to quench his thirst, so he casually decided to add a stunner in the 90+1st minute. Thanks to his late contributions, Real won 2-1 and 4-3 on aggregate. What an ending that was!
Photo Cred: Goal.com
The Final Preview of the Current Edition
The first leg of the 2024 Champions League quarterfinals was filled with competitive action that left fans wanting more. The finishing scores perfectly set up entertaining second legs, where the winners separated themselves with clinical displays.
In the semis, we saw two low-scoring PSG vs. Dortmund games that were enough to decide a winner. At the same time, a 90th-minute stunner saw Los Blancos reach their 18th UCL final. They had to fight back to tie the game in both legs, eventually winning it in the second one.
Photo Cred: UEFA.com
Now, we have the final to talk about, one that has so many major implications. For Jude Bellingham personally, it’s a battle between the club that gave the world a chance to show them who he was versus the club that has essentially ascended him into superstardom. Several offseason decisions need to be made on both sides, with aging veterans like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Marco Reus, and Hummels either retiring or leaving their respective sides soon.
Real Madrid keeps rolling no matter the outcome, with several possible additions on the way. This list includes two players who came up short in the semifinals this year (Mbappe, Davies). This is their 18th UCL finals appearance and they’ve only lost three times, so history is clearly behind them. Meanwhile, this is Dortmund’s third appearance and they can possibly add to their 1997 title. Tune in at 3:00 PM ET for the final of this edition of the Champions League!
Photo Cred: NBC 7 San Diego
