Sports talk about the just completed stage 1/4 the UEFA Champions League final, following which the prestigious tournament was left without the leaders of the Italian, German and Portuguese championships, and acquaints readers with the semi-finalists.
«Real»Despite the fact that the «creamy» are far from the leader of La Liga «Barcelona», in the international arena, «Royal Club» continues to tear. The current Champions League winner confidently passed Liverpool, after which, as if not sweating, he also kicked Chelsea out of the tournament. In two matches, the Londoners, who became the main spenders in the winter transfer window, never upset Thibaut Courtois, while they conceded four goals from the Spaniards (both times 2-0). Where were the vaunted Joao Felix and Mikhail Mudrik? Where were Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling looking? Riddle.
Frank Lampard has four defeats in four meetings since the comeback… And Real Madrid have their 11th semi-final in the last 13 seasons. Carlo Ancelotti's side are only three matches away from their 15th Champions League win.
AC Milan Italian champions struggled to deal with future Serie A winners Napoli: 1:0 at home and 1:1in the second leg with two missed penalties by both teams. And if Olivier Giroud rehabilitated for a miss, opening the scoring after a crazy pass by Rafael Leau, then a misfire of the main star of the Neapolitans Khvichi Kvaratskhelia in the 82nd minute (the goalkeeper of the “red-blacks” Mike Menyan is good) executed the intrigue.
«Milan» «became the first Italian club since 2018 to reach the semi-finals of the main club tournament of the Old World… How long have the Rossoneri fans been waiting for this! For 16 years.
«Manchester City» To get even with «Real» for the humiliation of the English Premier League (EPL) will try to «townspeople». Under the pressure of the gang of Josep Guardiola, who “slammed” the former club, and the restless Erling Haaland (12 goals from the top scorer of the current draw — don’t miss from the point, it would be 13) “Bayern” fell in the same way as a month earlier it fell under the attacks of Munich » Paris Saint-Germain».
After 3:0 in Manchester, the Germans had an intelligible first half, but in the second, the blond Norwegian signed Thomas Tuchel's verdict. Thanks to Josua Kimmich, who still beat Ederson (1:1) and did not let Bayern leave the Champions League defeated in their arena.
By the way, one of the main episodes of the confrontation was an incident that occurred outside the football field. After the first quarter-final, a brawl began in the locker room of Bayern — it was Sadio Mane, who was bullying even during the match, prescribed Leroy Sane in the face. The Senegalese got off easy: he missed one Bundesliga match and got the biggest fine in the history of the club (350 thousand euros).
It is symbolic that Mane replaced Sane yesterday.
“Inter” The most predictable quarter-final pair was the most scoring. Inter Milan had no problems with the Portuguese Benfica in the away match (2:0), after which they had a shootout at the San Siro (3:3) leaving no chance for the Eagles to survive.
Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan may very soon add a triumph in the Champions League to victories in the Europa League and the Conference League, and the world champion in the Argentine national team Lautaro Martinez can extend the happiest segment of his career.
When was the last time Inter played in a semi-final? Just like Milan, in a winning season for themselves. In 2010, the Nerazzurri, under the leadership of José Mourinho, sensationally overcame the magnificent Barcelona, after which Diego Milito scored a double in the Madrid final against Bayern.
In mid-May, one of the sworn opponents-neighbors will be one step closer to the «eared» trophy.
* * *As a result, the Milan derby awaits us next (for the first time since 2005 in the Champions League!) and the first participation of the Italian team in the final since 2017.
And also don't miss City's hidden final against Real Madrid, the winner of which will be the clear favorite for the final showdown of the tournament. Last year, the teams also fought in the semi-finals, and then the Spaniards turned out to be stronger (3:4, 3:1).
Dates of the semi-finalsMay 9
- «REAL» — «MANCHESTER CITY»;
May 10
- MILAN — INTER;
May 16
- » MANCHESTER CITY» — «REAL»;
May 17
- » INTER vs MILAN.
About the finalThe 2022/23 UEFA Champions League decider will take place on 10 June. Istanbul will host the final with the Atatürk Olympic Stadium hosting the game. Yes, that's where Milan lost to Liverpool in 2005, leading 0-3.
And Turkey finally waiting! After all, the Champions League final was supposed to come to the shores of the Bosphorus, first in 2020, then in 2021, but both times, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the right to be the host of the match was transferred to the Portuguese Lisbon and Porto.
PollWhat will the Champions League final be like?< br>Manchester City — Milan 23.9%Manchester City — Inter 22.4%Real Madrid — Milan 32.8%Real Madrid — Inter20.9%VoteVoted:67April 20, 00:20