The semi-finals of the 2024 Champions League kicked off last week with the matchups between Borussia Dortmund and PSG, and Bayern Munich against Real Madrid.
Both games were held in Germany. At the Allianz Arena, the match between Bayern and Real Madrid ended in a draw, while Dortmund won 1-0 at the Signal Iduna Park in front of their passionate fans.
Now, everything will be decided this week when we will know the two finalists of the Champions League.
Let’s review how the first leg matches went and what you can expect from the upcoming games, this time in Paris and Madrid!
⚽ Champions League: Paris Saint Germain v Borussia Dortmund (Tuesday 20:00 BST)
The first leg of the Champions League semi-finals took place in Germany, in front of the Yellow Wall.
The two teams were in the same group in the group stage, with PSG winning 2-0 at home on the first week of the Champions League, before travelling to Dortmund to draw 1-1.
PSG, led by Kylian Mbappe, is aiming for their first title in the competition, while Dortmund aims to repeat their success from 1997 when they won the League.
First half: Dortmund’s advantage in a tough match
The game started with both teams very solid in defence, giving few chances to their opponents. It was a difficult game for both sets of attackers trying to break the deadlock.
With little space for passing, Dortmund and PSG looked for alternatives to reach the goal and pose some danger.
It was in an attempt of a long pass that Niclas Füllkrug received the ball alone, entered the box, defeated the goalkeeper, and opened the scoring for the home team on the 35th minute.
After the opening goal, PSG became more intense and sought the equaliser, but 1-0 remained the score at halftime.
Second half: the yellow wall holds the result
As expected, PSG returned from halftime determined to equalise but started to squander their chances.
As a result, spaces began to open up for Dortmund as well, and they countered well in the hope they’d double their lead.
Thus, a real battle unfolded, with good goal-scoring opportunities for both sides throughout the entire second half of the match.
Despite their efforts, Mbappe, Ousmane Dembélé, and the powerful Parisian outfit were not enough to overcome the black & yellow army.
Therefore, Borussia Dortmund held on to their advantage by winning the first leg 1-0 at home.
A step away from the Champions League Final
For Dortmund, the advantage gained at home could be essential in taking the Germans to another Champions League final.
But it’s worth remembering that the next game will be at Parc des Princes, and French hopes rest precisely on the strength of their fans.
Will Dortmund reach the final, or will PSG continue to dream of the unprecedented title? We will find out this Tuesday in another thrilling Champions League match.
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⚽ Champions League: Real Madrid v Bayern Munich (Wednesday 20:00 BST)
The other Champions League semi-final featured a clash between two European heavyweights, with the first leg taking place in Munich on Tuesday night.
More than 70,000 fans packed the Allianz Arena to welcome the mighty Real Madrid and witnessed a great showdown.
The match ended in an exciting 2-2 draw, and now everything will be decided in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Let’s review how the first game unfolded.
First half: Real Madrid’s effectiveness
The first half saw Bayern dominate, but anyone who knows football is aware of Real Madrid’s quality.
On the 25th minute, Real Madrid had their first shot on goal, and it was Vinicius Jr who opened the scoring after a magnificent assist from Toni Kroos.
Despite the setback, Bayern continued to dominate the game statistics and almost equalised with a shot from Harry Kane that narrowly missed the post.
On the other hand, Real Madrid, with only one shot on target, showed their effectiveness and went to halftime with the lead on the scoreboard.
Second half: Bayern Munich’s incredible comeback
The second half saw Bayern chase the result and keep their dream alive of reaching the Champions League final.
Bayern’s forwards, Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala, exchanged positions, and the result of this change was immediate.
In the 53rd minute, Sané, in an individual play, finished perfectly to level the score in Munich. The goal ignited the Bavarian outfit.
Just two minutes after equalising, Musiala was brought down in the box and won a penalty for the home team.
Harry Kane’s penalty-taking experience was crucial in beating Andriy Lunin and put Bayern ahead on the scoreboard, sending the fans into a frenzy in the stands.
But remember that we are talking about Real Madrid, and caution is always necessary against the Spanish team, especially in Champions League matches.
The Merengues’ equaliser through Vini Jr
In the 36th minute, Rodrygo was brought down in the box and this time a penalty was awarded to Real Madrid.
Once again, Brazilian superstar Vinicius stepped up to take the penalty and, with extreme composure, levelled the score at the Allianz Arena.
The first leg of the Champions League ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, a match that delivered excitement throughout the 90 minutes.
Who will reach the Champions League final?
Now, everything will be decided this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
Can Bayern Munich overcome Real Madrid at their home and reach the Champions League final?
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Betting on the Champions League with the best
The Champions League final on June 1st at Wembley Stadium is still undecided, as both matchups are wide open and anything can happen.
However, this is what makes football such an interesting sport, and now you know all you need to know about the Champions League semi-final games to place your bets online.
Do you have your favourites? Then head to our website, where you bet with the best, and ramp up the excitement of the Champions League semi-finals!
Remember, sports betting is for your enjoyment, so bet responsibly, as that’s how entertainment should be for everyone!
Good luck with your bets, and we’ll see you around here as we look forward to the big Champions League final!
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