CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS WRAP-UP

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin

Two games in the books and two more to go. The two games this week were polar opposite in just about every way. One game was certainly more entertaining than the other. One game was played in a downpour that was close to cancelling the match. Nonetheless, both fixtures are still hanging in the balance and set us up for what will surely be two nail-biting second legs next week. I’ll begin with a recap of both games followed by a prediction for the second legs.

Source: Sports Illustrated | Photo from UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Chelsea 1 - 1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid should feel lucky to come away with a draw. I’m still not sure how Chelsea didn’t win the match. This was the monsoon game by the way. Sure Real Madrid had nearly the same amount of possession but they hardly seemed dangerous going forward. Chelsea continued to put pressure on Madrid’s backline and it nearly paid off very early, as striker Timo Werner missed a sitter from six yards out. It was a good reaction save from keeper Courtois but there's no excuse for that one. Tap it in the bottom corner and it's a goal.

Minutes later the visiting side did find the back of the net, thanks to great composure from American Cristian Pulisic dribbling around the keeper and cooly finishing between two defenders.

Luckily for Los Blancos, striker Karim Benzema was at his best on Tuesday. He nearly tied the game in the 23rd minute with a strike that swerved on the wrong side of the post. He finished the job just seven minutes later though, controlling a well-delivered cross with his head and smashing the ball home in the top corner all in one motion. It was a terrific goal that shows you can never count Real Madrid out with the talent they have. The second half was overshadowed by the downpour, and the quality on the pitch dipped. It was hardly playable. In the end, Chelsea is heading home with a well-deserved point but they really should have come away with a better result.

Second Leg Prediction

As mentioned before, Chelsea really should have won the first leg. I’m not sure Real Madrid could play any worse. They certainly will not play worse next Wednesday, I guarantee it. From a mental side, Real Madrid could almost feel better after the game than Chelsea knowing they will have a better performance next week.

It will be interesting to see what changes managers Thomas Tuchel and Zinadine Zidane plan on making to their respective sides. It concerns me that Chelsea striker Timo Werner has been out of form for the better

part of this year. They cannot afford to miss any more opportunities. If Benzema for Madrid is given that many opportunities you can be sure he will finish them. Perhaps I'm hopeful with my prediction but I see this ending in a 1-1 draw, forcing extra time. If that is the case, anything is possible in extra time or penalties. Chelsea has the talent to make it to the finals and I think they find a way.

- Pick: Chelsea 2 - 1 Real Madrid (extra-time)

Manchester City 2 - 1 PSG

What a roller coaster this match was. PSG came out firing early, controlling the flow of the game right from the beginning. They were rewarded in the 15th minute when Marquinhos shook off his defender and headed home a perfectly struck corner from Angel Di Maria. At this point, you wondered how long Manchester City would last. Paris continued to apply pressure right up to the halftime whistle. Strikers Kylian Mbappe and Neymar looked threatening every time they had the ball. City was happy to be down just a goal at the break.

I’m not sure what was said in the City locker room at halftime but it must have been quite the scene. City came out looking like a different team after the break, controlling the tempo and dictating the pace of the game. The game took a turn on its head in the 64th minute when a well-placed cross from Kevin De Bruyne somehow went through the box untouched and found the back corner of the net. A crucial away goal for the English side suddenly gives them the advantage. You can question keeper Navas’ positioning on the goal but those are difficult to stop since he was expecting a deflection. City’s advantage grew larger in the 71st minute when De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez lined up over the ball for a free kick just outside the box. Mahrez ended up striking it and it went right through the PSG wall and found the bottom corner. 2-1 City. If that wasn’t bad enough, any chance PSG had of a comeback on the night was diminished when Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red for a terrible slide tackle from behind on Ilkay Gundogan.

Second Leg Prediction

For the first time in the tournament, I have serious doubts about PSG prevailing. Paris was my pick at the beginning of the tournament and I doubled down once the knockout stages were set. Saying that PSG would only need to win 1-0 in Manchester next week to advance. Heading into this matchup, I questioned City’s ability to score when they have to. Strikers Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero have not seen much playing time, as Guardiola has chosen to go with a false nine upfront, or in other words, playing without a striker. There were instances in the first leg when City would have benefited from having a striker in the centre of the box. Ultimately it paid off for Pep’s side but when you compare them to PSG’s attacking force of Di Maria, Neymar and Mbappe, it's not even close. Neymar and Mbappe specifically produced numerous chances in the first half and if they see the same amount of opportunities next Tuesday at least one will find the net. City is looking for their first trip to the Champions League final in the club’s history and you wonder if nerves will begin to set in late in the game. I’m sticking with my guns.

- Pick: Man City 1 - 2 PSG - PSG advance on penalties