Apr 10, 2025, 01:12 AM ET
The primary legs of this season’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinals ties are finished and dusted.
Arsenal and Barcelona already seem have one foot within the semis because of their respective 3-0 and 4-0 wins, however the different matchups glance nicely poised.
Is there any manner that the likes of Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa can level comebacks? Do we ever see a greater brace than Declan Rice’s two wonderous unfastened kicks?
ESPN writers Gab Marcotti, James Olley, Mark Ogden and Julien Laurens take on one of the vital maximum burning questions after a very good spherical of midweek motion.
Arsenal 3-0 Actual Madrid: Is there any manner Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect can engineer every other giant comeback?
JAMES OLLEY: The problem for Actual Madrid is not whether or not they may be able to come again from 3 targets down — they may be able to — however whether or not Arsenal make a choice to show the second one leg into the kind of recreation that the reigning champions will almost definitely hate.
It was once noticeable within the first leg how every now and then Jurriën Trees selected to move ahead, understandably so at the foundation he needed to guard towards Vinícius Júnior’s tempo at the counter-attack, however doing so robbed Arsenal of the Martin Ødegaard-Bukayo Saka-Trees overload at the right-hand aspect this is incessantly so efficient. Because it grew to become out, Saka may just roast David Alaba on his personal, but it surely was once indicative of the balancing act that Arsenal needed to strike being at house within the first leg to offer them an opportunity of profitable the tie. That may not be the case with a 3-0 lead.
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The overall feeling is that to overcome Madrid, you give them the ball as a result of they’re so fatal at the damage and Arsenal have completely no wish to make the working. As a substitute, they may be able to be the group that sits again and choices Ancelotti’s aspect off once they really feel the chance arises.
All that being mentioned, if Madrid get an early target, there is no Gabriel Magalhães to stable the send along William Saliba at centre-back and it is simple to look how the nerves may just settle in for Arsenal. In the end, they have not been to the semifinals since 2009.
GAB MARCOTTI: Everyone knows higher than to write down Actual Madrid off, however clearly it’s going to be a huge process. Mikel Arteta’s model of Arsenal this season is way more forged defensively and they’re comfy with out the ball. Similarly, they have got a number of tempo in broad spaces to unharness at the counter in Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and it nearly does not topic if Mikel Merino drops all of the manner into midfield off the ball slightly than pretending he is enjoying center-forward.
That mentioned… to cite Mike Tyson (once more): “Everyone has a plan till they get punched within the face.”
Actual Madrid can conjure up targets out of skinny air — in any case, they have finished it earlier than, and the left aspect of Arsenal’s again 4 may be made up of a youngster (Myles Lewis-Skelly) who actually best performed midfield till this yr and Jakub Kiwior, who’s, nicely, Jakub Kiwior. In the meantime, attacking down the left you may have Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé and incessantly Jude Bellingham too.
Sitting too deep, too early, would not be too artful and if Madrid get the target within the first 20-25 mins and the Bernabéu’s “miedo escenico” (mainly “level fright,” but it surely sounds higher in Spanish) units in, we may have a type of nights the place time turns out to sluggish for Arsenal lovers. (Or, worse, like in Ferris Bueller, in reality pass backwards.)
The harsh phase for Ancelotti is that, like we’ve got mentioned all yr, this isn’t a well-constructed aspect. They selected to enter the season with out any person who may just even pull off a C-list impersonation of Toni Kroos, leaving 39-year-old Luka Modric as the one inventive passer in midfield. They selected to not upload a central defender in January, even after Éder Militão’s season-ending harm. They selected the Panini-sticker means of including attacking superstars, figuring Ancelotti will have the ability to get them to suit in combination even if Vini, Mbappé and Rodrygo all wish to play at the left.
And but Actual Madrid, regardless of enjoying badly and getting such a lot mistaken, have been overwhelmed best by means of two absurd unfastened kicks from a man (Declan Rice) who had scored precisely 0 direct free-kick targets in his earlier 330+ video games as a professional, and an extraordinary Merino blast from outdoor the field. Whilst Thibaut Courtois did need to make some very good saves, in the end the 3 targets that beat them had a mixed xG of 0.14. So yeah, this tie is a ways from over.
Actual Madrid aren’t any strangers to important comebacks, however do they have got sufficient to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit to Arsenal? Vince Mignott/DeFodi Pictures/DeFodi by the use of Getty Pictures
MARK OGDEN: Arsenal at the moment are massive favourites and will have to get the task finished subsequent week, however there is no manner you’ll write off Actual Madrid in a 2d leg on the Bernabéu. It is a stadium the place unusual issues occur and that may play on Arsenal’s minds, particularly in the event that they concede early.
Subsequent week’s recreation is as a lot about Arsenal retaining their nerve as about Madrid overturning a three-goal deficit, and Arteta’s group remains to be green at this level of the Champions League. I’m backing Arsenal to move via, but it surely can be a bumpy journey. I used to be at Anfield in 2019 when Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 to overturn a 3-0 semifinal deficit and that tie had regarded useless and buried, so if Liverpool can do it, so can Actual’s group of attacking superstars.
JULIEN LAURENS: Sincerely, having watched Actual Madrid all season, house and away, whether or not in LaLiga, the Champions League or within the Copa del Rey, I don’t believe they’re going to come again as a result of what we noticed on Tuesday has been taking place all season lengthy.
That is an unbalanced, disjointed group out of ownership with fantastic person skill attack-wise, however no longer brotherly love or patterns of play. It is a group that may’t deal with depth and does not play with sufficient depth of their very own. They do not run arduous, they do not press a lot and — at this stage — it isn’t sufficient.
Can Mbappé ranking a hat trick subsequent week? Certain he can. Can Vinícius organize to dribble previous Trees? After all he can. However can the reigning champions additionally organize not to concede? I don’t believe so. Can they get keep watch over of the sport? I am not positive.
Arsenal are one of the crucial very best groups in Europe out of ownership, and that may make the variation subsequent Wednesday because the Gunners see issues out safely.
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Moreno shocked by means of Declan Rice’s fantastic free-kick moves
Ale Moreno can not perceive why we have not observed extra of Declan Rice on unfastened kicks for Arsenal after scoring two times vs. Actual Madrid.
Bayern Munich 1-2 Inter Milan: What went mistaken for Vincent Kompany and Bayern?
MARCOTTI: I’ve a ton of sympathy for Kompany. He was once the sixth- or seventh-choice for the task, he inherited a group with a ton of expiring contracts and were given hit with a bunch of accidents forward of this recreation: Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies and, maximum particularly, Jamal Musiala. And nonetheless, regardless of all of the haters, he is on tempo regionally to win the league and end with 83 issues, which might be Bayern’s very best issues overall since 2017-18.
Oh, and within the remaining spherical of this very festival, he wiped the ground with Bayer Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso (5-0 on combination) the fellow Bayern sought after on the helm as an alternative of him.
That mentioned, he were given lots mistaken within the first leg, beginning with believing Raphaël Guerreiro may just fill Musiala’s giant footwear (regardless of his little ft) within the 4-2-3-1 towards a facet like Inter. After a vivid get started, between minute 26 (Harry Kane hitting the submit) and minute 75 (Thomas Müller coming directly to make it a entrance two), Bayern controlled simply 4 photographs, they all off beam. They ignored Musiala’s creativity (Guerreiro simply is not that type of participant) they usually ignored Davies’ tempo and runs from deep. (Josip Stanisic, the emergency left-back, was once mainly a 3rd central defender, in all probability as a result of he was once afraid of going through a entrance two.) In the meantime, Inter opened the scoring and may have had a 2d with Lautaro Martínez.
Muller is 35 and almost definitely can not come up with 90 mins, however he confirmed he can give a contribution for greater than the 15 he were given on Tuesday. Possibly you do not get started him, however you do deliver him on previous. I might like to look Michael Olise working from a extra central place after which slotting out broad when Müller comes on.
On the again, given Bayern are down a target from the primary leg, it will be a courageous desire to position Guerreiro there at left-back (and it will imply taking a chance on Eric Dier and Kim Min-Jae going through one-on-ones) however you might be within the hollow and you want to take dangers.
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1:50
Moreno slams Bayern for giving up a past due winner for Inter
Ale Moreno says Bayern Munich lacked management at the box as they blew a past due equaliser and allowed Inter to take a 2-1 lead into the second one leg.
OGDEN: I am not positive the outcome was once right down to Kompany’s errors or any naivety from Bayern, however extra about Inter being a type of uncommon groups that puts as a lot significance on protecting and being difficult to overcome as they do on attacking aptitude. As a result of so few groups are as well-organised and defensively disciplined as Inter, combatants do not know the way to damage them down.
I like observing Inter on account of their mastery of protecting, however they’re an actual contender for the Champions League as a result of they may be able to ranking too. Martínez’s target was once as just right as any you’ll be able to see this season.
Bayern are unconvincing and Inter are simply too sensible and streetwise for them. I do not see some way again for Bayern within the San Siro.
LAURENS: Possibly Kompany does not just like the International locations League or wasn’t observing fresh internationals during which his avid gamers have been concerned. He would no longer be the one one, but when he had watched France towards Croatia previous this month, he would have observed Olise play as a No. 10 and do actually nicely in that place. He would had been the very best alternative for Musiala on Tuesday, however Kompany saved him for granted winger towards the Inter Milan again 5.
For me, Olise is the very best have compatibility for this Bayern aspect when Musiala isn’t there. He may just play between the opposition’s strains, providing choices at the ball whilst Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané occupy the wings. Olise within the center is a significantly better possibility than beginning Müller in the second one leg.
OLLEY: I did not see the sport as a result of I used to be at Arsenal-Actual Madrid. All I will be able to say is I’m hoping Kane is not cursed as many recommend he could be. The England captain is simply too diligent a certified, too constant a goal-scorer and too healthy a person for any person with any authentic objectivity to wish him to move via his illustrious profession with out including main honours to his title.
He might nicely in spite of everything finish his look ahead to a trophy with this season’s Bundesliga name, however that unhealthy leave out in Tuesday’s first leg will best inspire him to turn out himself extra medical on the San Siro.
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Burley explains why Inter are a Champions League contender
Craig Burley explains what makes Inter a deadly Champions League opponent after securing a 2-1 win within the first leg in their quarterfinal conflict with Bayern Munich.
Barcelona 4-0 Borussia Dortmund: Barcelona are the favorites to win all of it, correct? Can any person forestall them?
LAURENS: Going ahead, Barcelona are the most productive group on the planet. They’re even higher than PSG and nobody would need to face Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in most sensible shape. It is this firepower up entrance makes Hansi Flick’s aspect the favourites to win all of it, surely. However defensively, they concede possibilities, they’re fragile, and you’ll exploit their top line of defense — particularly when you have a powerful midfield, like PSG, Arsenal and Inter Milan. So, Barcelona can ranking 3 targets towards any person however too can concede 3 towards a most sensible group. I don’t believe it is a given that they’re going to carry the trophy in Munich on Might 31. As an example, I may just see Inter Milan having the ability to nullify their assault in a possible semifinal, bearing in mind they’re the most productive defence within the festival.
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MARCOTTI: Glance, Flick could be my Champions League supervisor of the yr if the event ended at this time, Lewandowski is performing some Dorian Grey stuff, and no different group has any person who comes with regards to Yamal. That mentioned, Barça at all times come up with an opportunity. I do know the top line argument is a bit of drained and trite, however it is true. What is helping make Barça so devastating in assault may be, probably, a weak point defensively. It is not a twist of fate that even towards an extraordinary Dortmund they gave up 1.30 anticipated targets at house. That is so much in a recreation you dominate. They have gained 8 and misplaced two in their remaining 10 in all competitions, however they have saved simply 5 blank sheets. And whilst you concede, partially it is the machine, partially the group of workers (Wojciech Szczęsny, lest we disregard, got here out of retirement, Pau Cubarsí is eighteen, Iñigo Martínez 33), however they aren’t a lockdown group defensively. And if for no matter reason why they run right into a keeper who’s having a standout recreation (and there are some superb ones left within the festival) and it does not paintings on the attacking finish, the wheels can come off.
Are they the most productive group within the festival? Sure. Are they nailed directly to win it? No. And I have not even discussed loss of intensity at centre-back and center-forward, the truth that they have got two extra Clasicos to play regionally and are embroiled in a name race … all issues that would derail them.
OLLEY: Barcelona had been my thought of the winners for months. So I am not stunned they delivered a quarterfinal first-leg outcome like this, despite the fact that their open taste continues to depart a nagging feeling that a greater balanced aspect will in finding them out. However their firepower is so spectacular. Raphinha (12) and Lewandowski (11) are the highest two scorers within the Champions League this season whilst Yamal proved all over again towards Dortmund that he’s one in all the freshest abilities in global soccer. Raphinha has 19 target involvements within the festival this season, a club-record top along Lionel Messi from the 2011-12 marketing campaign. The whole list is held by means of Cristiano Ronaldo, who registered 21 within the 2013-14 season for Actual Madrid. What Barcelona are doing at this time is historical. Even with their weaknesses, it’s going to take an overly, superb group to forestall them.
OGDEN: I actually hope that we get a Barcelona vs. PSG ultimate so we will all sit down again and watch two groups pass after each and every different and finally end up with a 5-4 win for one or the opposite. However I concern that Barça could be heading for a large bucket of chilly water within the form of Inter Milan within the semifinals and that may deliver us all go into reverse to earth as a result of Inter have the avid gamers, the trainer and the gameplan to overcome Barcelona, irrespective of the brilliance of Yamal and Raphinha. Let’s have a look at, however Barça have not actually been examined within the Champions League this season. They have had a cushy trail to the semifinals and Inter will pose them questions they have not had to reply to but. If Bayern can pull off a surprise subsequent week and switch the tie round towards Inter, then I might again Barcelona to knock them out. However Inter might be Barcelona’s soccer model of the massive, unhealthy wolf.
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Craig & Ale agree: Lamine Yamal is the most productive on the planet at this time
Craig Burley and Ale Moreno sing the praises of Lamine Yamal after Barcelona’s teenage celebrity shone once more in a 4-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.
Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Aston Villa: Is there any long ago into this tie for Villa, or can we see extra of the similar from PSG?
OGDEN: There is at all times some way again, however it will take an enormous drop-off from PSG in addition to an implausible efficiency by means of Villa to show this tie on its head. PSG totally ruled the primary leg and they’re thus far forward of Villa with regards to high quality that they’re going to almost definitely win at Villa Park too. Having overwhelmed Liverpool at Anfield within the remaining spherical — after shedding the primary leg in Paris — PSG have already triumph over a far larger take a look at than they face subsequent week. My best fear for PSG, with regards to profitable the Champions League slightly than getting the task finished subsequent week, is they take me back to the fact of the 1982 Brazil group or Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United aspect of the mid-Nineties in that they’re so just right to look at and so stuffed with attacking aptitude. However neither of the ones groups gained anything else, regardless of being really easy at the eye, so I’m hoping that PSG can damage the mildew and pass all of the strategy to turn out that attacking, courageous and dangerous soccer can win the most important prizes.
LAURENS: There may be at all times some way again in soccer and a two-goal deficit isn’t inconceivable to triumph over, however Unai Emery were given his ways mistaken in Paris and he must do higher at house subsequent week. The issue he’ll face is if Villa assault an excessive amount of, they’re going to depart numerous areas to milk for the PSG forwards. I would not be stunned if Emery tries a again 3 for the second one leg in a 3-4-3 formation which is able to nonetheless stay some stability.
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What is preventing PSG from profitable the Champions League?
Julien Laurens assesses PSG’s hopes of the profitable the Champions League for the primary time.
OLLEY: There’s a long ago however the standard ebb and waft of those two-legged ties naturally make it really feel like Nuno Mendes’ target it will be the decisive second. Villa are incessantly at their thrilling, dynamic very best at house once they grasp a top line of defense, attempt to squeeze groups and introduce chance into the sport. The one probability they have got is to be courageous. It was once comprehensible within the cases however for lengthy sessions of Wednesday night time, Villa have been camped at the fringe of their very own field protecting in what resembled a again six. The primary-leg scoreline provides them little desire however to be daring, despite the fact that they may be able to dial up the chance because the fit is going on.
MARCOTTI: Till that Mendes target, I might have mentioned it is nonetheless very a lot within the stability. However a two-goal lead is important. And greater than the outcome, PSG ruled them in each space of the pitch and I feel, psychologically, that is not simple to take or jump again from. Particularly when Villa have been arrange nicely by means of Emery for lots of the recreation. We will be able to debate whether or not choosing Marcus Rashford forward of Ollie Watkins was once the fitting desire, however, frankly, I am not positive how a lot that mattered. I feel Emery would had been comfy, even relieved, at taking a 1-2 deficit again. And he will be pissed off at giving up a 3rd target like that. We all know Villa can harm you at the counter and whilst PSG may just clearly kick it down a notch and be extra conservative — making it tougher for Villa — the best way they play is so forward-thinking I might consider they’re going to nonetheless play that manner subsequent week. Oh and to make issues worse for Villa, Marquinhos — who’s so essential for PSG (he would not make the error Lucas Beraldo made for the opener — might be again from suspension.
