♦ Both semi-finals are in the balance heading into second legs
♦ Borussia Dortmund take 1-0 lead to Paris Saint-Germain
♦ Bayern Munich’s tie with Real Madrid locked at 2-2
Champions League semi-final second legs with everything still left to play for? Errr, yes please!
The opening semi-final clashes have set up a pair of barnstorming return legs. Paris Saint-Germain once again need to stage a second-leg comeback, only this time on home soil, while the battle of European heritage is locked at two apiece with Bayern Munich visiting Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Wembley arch awaits the two victors, with the two upcoming nights bound to thrill. Expect the very best of the Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Here’s how 90min thinks the upcoming second legs will play out.
There was a sense of familiarity regarding PSG’s defeat in Dortmund. Les Parisiens had so often struggled away from home in this competition before they secured back-to-back away victories to kick-off the knockout phase.
Borussia Dortmund were excellent in front of a rampant Yellow Wall. Jadon Sancho purred and Mats Hummels produced a performance out of his vintage, but their advantage is just one thanks to an outstanding Marquinhos intervention to deny Julian Brandt late on.
These two sides have been here before. In 2020, Dortmund took a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their last-16 tie, only to lose 2-0 in Paris. Will history repeat itself on Wednesday night? Luis Enrique’s hosts will dominate territorially to an even greater degree, but the visitors pose a distinct threat on the counter-attack.
Taming BVB in transition will be key to a PSG victory, while the hosts must also produce a much more efficient final-third display compared to their efforts in Germany.
A Borussia Dortmund victory on Tuesday would serve as immense motivation for Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich, who take on Real Madrid the following day with their semi-final locked at 2-2.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid produced a typical display in Munich as they were bettered for large swathes only to strike when it was least expected. Vinicius Junior’s emphatic opener and late penalty means Madrid will take a result into the second leg after Bayern had raced into a 2-1 lead at the start of the second half.
While the newly-crowned La Liga champions have dominated the head-to-head duel this century, Bayern have performed well at the Bernabeu for little reward. The Germans haven’t lost in 90 minutes at Madrid’s home ground since 2014 and prevailed on penalties in the 2011/12 semi-finals to knock Jose Mourinho’s Blancos out of the competition.
Given the fine margins on display in the first leg and Tuchel’s knack for producing a masterplan on the big occasion, another tight affair should be expected on Wednesday. A repeat of the 2012 semi is certainly on the table, too.
