UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals (First Legs)
Arsenal vs PSG - Emirates Stadium (0-1 AGG)
An even contest at The Emirates for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final for Arsenal and PSG in terms of the stats. With shots, shots on target and possession all fairly evenly shared. The game probably should have seen more goals if it wasn’t for excellent goalkeeping by both David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Arsenal did have an equaliser early in the second half which was chalked off due to an offside from scorer Mikel Merino as he could not get back onside in time from Declan Rice’s free kick. However, a crucial away goal and lead to bring back to the Parcs Des Princes puts PSG in pole position to make it to the final in Munich on May 31st.
The only goal of the game came 4 minutes in. Ousmane Dembele ran through the middle of the pitch and found a free Kvaratskhelia on the left hand side. The Georgian international drove into the box towards Jurien Timber before a quick pass to an arriving Ousmane Dembele. He took the shot first time, not the cleanest of connections as it hit the ground. Even Though, it was not the purest of shots it bounced off the post and into the opposing bottom corner to give PSG the lead. The goal that gave the Parisians the lead going into the second leg in France.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys (3-3 AGG)
An unbelievable whirlwind of a game for the first leg of this game. The game overall was dominated by Barcelona, with over 3x as many shots and shots on target. Along with over 70% of the possession for the entire game. There was a great start for the away side as they went 0-2 up by the 21st minute. However, more magic from Lamine Yamal got Barcelona back into it 3 minutes after. Then just before half time Barcelona were level thanks to Ferran Torres. Although, going into the second half Inter were not going away, then went ahead again just after the hour mark. But Barca came back again, making it 3-3 just 2 minutes later. An even game to take back to the San Siro with a finely poised second leg in the balance.
The perfect start for Inter as they went ahead in the 1st minute. Good team play with Thuram giving it to Barella in the middle of the pitch, he then set away Denzel Dumfries. He was unable to find another Inter player but the ball found its way back to him shortly after. He put another ball into the box, right onto the feet of Thuram, who chose to flick the ball with the heel of his right foot into the bottom corner. An excellent finish from the Frenchman to put Inter ahead so early in the tie.
Things got even better for Inter in the 21st minute from a corner played in by Federico Dimarco. A header well won by Acerbi put the ball into the path of Denzel Dumfries, with an acrobatic but powerful finish from close range to double Inter’s lead. It was a dream start for the Italians in Barcelona.
The 2 goal lead was short lived as Lamine Yamal showed another magical moment to put his team right back into the game just 3 minutes after Inter’s second goal. He had the ball on the right side before driving towards goal and using great skill to go past Mkhitaryan. He took one touch inside the box before bending the ball round Bastoni, off the post and in. Inter Goalkeeper Yann Sommer could only stand and watch as he was never going to get near the shot. A goal from the teenage sensation to get Barcelona back into the game.
Another great team goal for Barcelona’s first equlaiser of the night. The ball was with Pedri in the middle of the half. He looked up and immediately saw the run of Raphinha at the back post. He delivers the ball to the head of Raphinha, who sees an arriving Ferran Torres who he puts it straight into the path of. Ferran Torres scored from close range, no chance for Sommer as Barcelona drew level at 2-2.
Just after the hour mark Inter were ahead again and from another corner. This time put in by Barella to the back post. It is initially missed by Yann Bisseck but Denzel Dumfries is just behind to put it over Szczesny to get his second goal of the game and put Inter back ahead 2-3.
The final goal of the back and forth game was once again from a corner. Dani Olmo looked to put the ball in but opted to pass it to the edge of the box. It seemed as though Lamine Yamal was going to put the ball in but he left it with a clever dummy to an awaiting Raphinha. He then let out a voracious shot from just outside the D on the edge of the box. The power of the shot is heard as it thudded off the crossbar and hit Sommer before bouncing in. An unfortunate goal for the Inter Keeper who had had a good game up until this point, but Barcelona will take any goal they can get to make it 3-3. A crazy game of football, with nothing to split the 2 teams going into the second leg in Milan.
