The Champions Blog #1.11

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG

The first leg of any semi final is always considered to be a heated one. With both matches of the first leg being played in Germany, both matches were filled with drama and excitement. We had another classic encounter in Bavaria between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, while in Dortmund, we had a enthralling match which could've gone both ways. This is the Champions Blog. 

The week of football started off in Bavaria, for what would should turn out to be another classic encounter between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. These two sides haven't played each other in the Champions League for the first time in six years. Their last encounter also came in the semi finals in the 2017/18 season, when Real edged through 4-3 on aggregate en route to win their 13th Champions League title. Bayern was the team off to a good start as they almost found themselves ahead within just 1 minute. However, Real would be the team in front because only 24 minutes in and Vinicius Jr taps it past Manuel Neuer to make it 1-0 to Los Blancos, assisted by a great pass from Toni Kroos. Despite constant attacking from Bayern in the first 15 minutes, they couldn’t find a way through, giving Real cruise control of the game. However, all that would change in the second half, as Bayerns’s luck would change for the good. Within just 10 minutes into the second half, Leroy Sane grabbed the ball and struck a powerful shot into the back of Lunin’s net to bring the home side back into the game. It wouldn’t be long until Bayern would find the lead in a penalty scored by talisman, Harry Kane. The penalty was caused by Lucas Vazquez as he tripped Jamal Musiala, causing the referee to point to the spot and give Bayern the lead. It looked like it would be smooth sails for the hosts, but in the 83rd minute, Kim Min Jae clips Vinicius Jr’s foot, resulting in a penalty for Los Blancos. Vinicius Jr would then step up to score the penalty and complete his brace as well as equalizer for the visitors. It would then end 2 goals each, with all to play for in Madrid, next week. 

Picture Above: Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Jr celebrating his first goal

The following night, the attention turned to Northern Germany, in the Signal Iduna Park for a classic encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain. This would be their first encounter since 2020, when PSG met Dortmund in the Round of 16, losing 2-1 in the first leg in Germany before winning 2-0 in the second leg in France, en route to their historic run to the final in Lisbon. Dortmund’s last appearance in a final came in 2013, in London, losing 2-1 to the hands of Bayern Munich. Early on in the game, Dortmund had a golden chance to take the lead, when Marcel Sabitzer's shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. By the time the 30th minute rolled around, Borussia Dortmund were looking in control of the game thanks to successful dribbles by Englishmen, Jadon Sancho. By the time the 35th minute reached, Niklas Fullkrug's thumped home a wonderous strike which met the end of Donnarumma's net, to give the hosts a much deserved lead. By the time the first half reached it's conclusion, Dortmund kept knocking on the door for a second goal, but couldn't find the back of the net, meaning the hosts would go into the half with a 1-0 lead. In the second half, PSG's attacking number would significantly improve. Within the first 5 minutes, there were two shots that hit Dortmund's posts. Despite constant attacking, PSG couldn't find an equalizer, and the game would end 1-0 to the hosts. Dortmund were now one step away from the Champions League final. PSG on the other hand, had some work to do in the second leg in Paris.

    Picture Above: Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can trying to tackle the ball from Kylian Mbappe.

The first leg of the Champions League has already come and gone. With both games being played in Germany, we were in store for some entrhalling matches which will be decided the following week. Only 2 can move on into the final in Wembley. Will it a Bayern and PSG final rematch, will it be an all German final, will it be Real vs Dortmund, or will it be a clash between Real and PSG? The Champions Blog will return soon ahead of the second leg of the semi finals.