THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: SEMI FINAL PREVIEW

Picture Above: The semi finalists of this season's Champions League. 

32 teams have started the tournament and now only 4 remain. However, despite these teams and their heroics being the highlights of the season, only 2 can move on to the highly anticipated final in London. However, we cannot deny that these four teams have been sensational all season. In this special article on the Champions Blog, we look into the two semifinal games and how they got here. 

Semi Final 1: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

First Leg: 30th April 2024 (Allianz Arena, Munich) 11:00 PM*

Second Leg: 8th May 2024 (Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid) 11:00 PM

Last Encounter: Real Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich (on aggregate) 2017/18 Semi Finals

Last Final: Bayern Munich (1-0, PSG, 2020 Lisbon)

                   Real Madrid (1-0, Liverpool, 2022 Paris)

* note: Gulf Standard Time

Over the years, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have had some classic Champions League encounters, which made the Champions League worth watching. This will be the first time in 6 years in which these two sides will meet in the competition. The last encounter between these two sides came in the semifinals as well in the 2017/18 season, when Real Madrid clinched a 4-3 win on aggregate to progress to the final in Kyiv and defeat Liverpool to win European Cup number 13. Bayern's last European success came in 2020, while Real's last success came in 2022. Both these sides have an equal chance of progressing. This wouldn't be the first time Bayern would make a Champions League final in London, it they were to beat Real. In 2013, Bayern completed a historic treble by defeating arch rivals, Borussia Dortmund in Wembley in the first all-German final. By far, the most memorable encounter between the two sides came in 2012, when Bayern edged through to a final in their own backyard, beating Real Madrid on penalties in Madrid.

Semi Final 2: Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint Germain

First Leg: 1st May 2024 (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund) 11:00 PM

Second Leg: 7th May 2024 (Parc De Princes, Paris) 11:00 PM

Last Encounter: Paris Saint Germain 3-2 Borussia Dortmund (on aggregate) 2019/20 Round of 16

Last Final: Borussia Dortmund (1-2, Bayern Munich, 2013 London)

                   Paris Saint Germain (0-1, Bayern Munich, 2020 Lisbon)

This isn't the first time that Dortmund and PSG have met each other this season. They previously met in the group stage, with PSG winning 2-0 in Paris, while they drew 1-1 in the return game in Dortmund. These two sides topped the 'Group of Death', containing them, AC Milan and Newcastle. This is Dortmund's first semi final appearance since 2013, when they stunned Real Madrid to create the first and by far the only, all-German Champions League final against Bayern Munich. PSG's last semi final appearance came in 2021, when they lost 4-1 on aggregate to current holders, Manchester City.  Dortmund's last final came in 2013, as mentioned previously, however, despite their incredible run, they fell short to rivals, Bayern Munich. That same final was also played in Wembley Stadium in London, the venue for this year's final. PSG's last and only final in the competition also came with a loss against Bayern Munich. A 1-0 defeat in Lisbon, with the goal scored by former youth prospect, Kingsley Coman.

This season's semi final is about to start, and we might be in store for the craziest and dramatic semi final. Only two can move on into the final showdown in London. Who will light the stage up in Wembley, and who's European dreams will end in bitter defeat? Find out next time on The Champions Blog.