FC Bayern will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals

Bayern Munich has reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2020 treble. The team of coach Thomas Tuchel, who left at the end of the season, won 1-0 against English representatives FC Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg.

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In the semifinals, the German soccer record champions, who drew 2-2 in the first leg in London, will face record winners Real Madrid. Joshua Kimmich (63′), with a header, scored for Munich to advance.

Real Madrid in the semi-finals

The “Royals” drove defending champions Manchester City to despair and secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with great passion and nerve. Real triumphed 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-final second leg against Pep Guardiola’s English treble winners – Antonio Rüdiger scored the decisive try. After 120 minutes the score was 1-1, the first leg ended 3-3. Real took revenge for their elimination last year and are playing against Bayern Munich for a ticket to the final in the London football temple.

Rodrygo (12′) scored to give Real an early lead and shocked City, who had entered the top duel with a sensational record of 27 games without defeat across all competitions. The “Skyblues” then besieged Madrid goalkeeper Andrej Lunin’s goal. The bulwark lasted until the 76th minute of the game, when Kevin de Bruyne converted a rebound. Lunin then saved two penalties before Rüdiger was the decisive man.

Before the next duel between the long-term rivals, there was a lot reminiscent of the meeting a year ago. At that time it was also level (1:1) after the semi-final first leg in Madrid – but then City made short work of the proud Real in a 4-0 win and moved into the final.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had been very optimistic in advance, was now fully counting on Rüdiger to put Erling Haaland on the chain again as he did in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. A huge difficulty, and after the perfect start for Madrid, the Norwegian quickly made his presence felt: Haaland headed in the 19th minute.’ to the crossbar. After that we went back and forth at an express pace.

Real were very happy with the initial phase, with Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo creating moments of danger several times with quick switches. But City then noticeably increased the intensity and kept the pressure on. Initially without any income.

In the second half, Real could hardly provide any relief and City pushed more and more vehemently for the equalizer, which was then richly deserved. It went into extra time – in which nothing happened. Then the nerves decided.