The Champions League semi-finals are set, featuring Spanish stalwarts, inexperienced English teams, and triple contenders from Italy and France. There is also a first.
FC Barcelona has reached the Champions League semi-finals for the 13th time, a feat only surpassed by their eternal rivals Real Madrid (14). The Catalans have now reached the semi-finals more times than all three of the other remaining teams combined.
BVB only managed to trip up Barcelona in the second leg (3-1), but had no chance in the first leg (0-4). Now Bayern’s conquerors Inter Milan will face Hansi Flick’s team. This is the Italian champions’ fourth appearance in a CL semi-final – Paris St. Germain are on five after their victory over Aston Villa (3-1 and 2-3), while Arsenal are on three (3-0 and 2-1 against Real Madrid).
The Gunners therefore have the least experience in the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition. Arsenal lost to Manchester United in an all-English clash in 2008/09, while the Londoners prevailed against Villarreal in 2005/06. However, it was someone else who celebrated in the final in Paris: FC Barcelona.
Arsenal are out for revenge – Inter want their second CL title
This final and the chance for revenge is also possible this year, provided Arsenal prevail against PSG and Barca against Inter. The Catalans have emerged victorious from five of their twelve CL semi-finals to date, going on to lift the trophy four times (2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015).
Like Arsenal, PSG have never won the Champions League, but they have reached the final once (2020, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich). Last year, the French side were knocked out in the semi-finals by BVB. Inter are therefore the only remaining CL participants alongside Barcelona to have won the tournament. The Nerazzurri have reached the final twice, winning the title against Bayern in 2010 (2-0).
Barcelona and PSG also know how to win the Champions League on the sidelines: Flick won the trophy with Bayern Munich in 2020, Luis Enrique with Barcelona in 2015. Both have already won the treble and are looking to repeat the feat. With Barca, PSG, and Inter, three teams still have a chance of winning the league, national cup, and Champions League this season.
Premiere in the Champions League semi-finals
This triumvirate from Spain, France, and Italy is joined by Arsenal from England – the last time four CL semi-finalists came from four different countries was in the 2017/18 season (Liverpool, Bayern, Real Madrid, and AS Roma). However, this was not a first even seven years ago. Between 1994 and 1999, this happened six times in a row in different constellations. For the England/Spain/France/Italy constellation, however, it is indeed a first this season.
The fact that the four semi-finalists come from four of Europe’s top five leagues has only happened in the 2017/18 (GER/ENG/SPA/ITA), 2009/10 (GER/ITA/SPA/FRA) and 1997/98 (GER/ITA/SPA/FRA) seasons. Of these three constellations, the Spanish team prevailed twice (Real Madrid) and the Italian team once (Inter Milan).
The current semi-final constellation also presents a curious situation: Arsenal and Barca are not represented in the Club World Cup coming up in the summer. The tournament could therefore have to do without the current CL winner.