UEFA Champions League 2024/2025

[jimmy jazz]

New documentary: How to Flunk Winning the Champions League - Real Madrid.

Was that double-kick thing fair? Could they not have retaken the penalty like when the goalie is off his line or there's encroachment?

There's no evidence it struck his foot but they ruled it out and VAR'd it straight away. I thought it was ridiculous. Fine if it was a double kick but I haven't seen any replay that shows it was and I've seen about 5, multiple times over, so I don't know how they can be so sure.

[Trollheart]

Yeah they said on MOTD that his left foot hit it as he kind of slipped, so that when he kicked with his right that was the second touch. Smacks of pandering to a Real team that were looking at going out and losing all that revenue...

[Trollheart]

Quarter-finals, first legs

Tuesday April 8 2025


Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
Germany v Italy
Allianz Arena, Munich

Two giants of European football clash for a place in the semi-finals. All eyes would be on Harry Kane; could he do it for his team in the Champions League as he has been domestically? The only Italian team left in the tournament will want to fly the flag for their country, and should prove a tough opponent. Nobody would bet on this one, could go either way. Bayern have home advantage of course, but will that be enough? What can they take back to the San Siro?

Bayern with the early attack on six minutes but just squeaked wide of the far post, then off the roof of the net from the resultant corner. Four minutes later it was the Italians who had their chance, but blocked by a defender, while Kane almost nodded his team in front on 13 minutes but straight into the keeper's arms. Pressure applied by Bayern, who could have been ahead on 20 minutes but for the agility of the keeper, then in an end-to-end game Inter went up the other end and almost opened the scoring themselves. Couldn't take your eyes off this one!

How did Kane miss on 25 minutes? Clear through, the goal at his mercy and he cracked it off the post! Has to go down as a sitter. On the half hour Inter were in, great breakaway but side netting. Another chance minutes later, and had the Inter man not lost his footing and slipped, chances are the Allianz would have been silenced. And so it was, eight minutes from the break, as Inter scored a beautiful goal.

Behind at home, their worst nightmare, Bayern had to turn it on in the second half, but they almost went two behind ten minutes in, the ball across the face of goal but nobody able to get on the end of it, then another shot by Martinez, the goal scorer, but this time the keeper did his job and kept his team in it. For now. Bayern beginning to grow into the match a little as the hour clocked up, a chance but over the bar, and minutes later a better chance but again over it sailed.

Half an hour to go and it looked like the Germans had forced Inter to go on the defensive as they attempted to hold their slim lead, and with ten minutes left Kane missed another glorious chance to draw his team level. Minutes after that Muller had the same opportunity but it bounced harmlessly to the side. Time running out now as Bayern took the corner, punched away by the Inter keeper, but then it was fairytale time as the soon-to-be-retiring Muller grabbed the equaliser, six minutes from time. Three minutes later Inter were ahead again, absolutely amazing. In the last few minutes of added time Bayern desperately pushed to equalise again, but time ran out on them and Inter take a 2-1 aggregate back home.

Result: Bayern Munich 1 - 2 Inter Milan


Arsenal v Real Madrid
England v Spain
The Emirates

One of only two English clubs remaining in the competition, Arsenal faced the legendary Real Madrid, who, to be fair, are lucky to have got this far, with not the greatest performance in the Round of 16, having to book their place via the play-offs, only beating Atletico on penalties after the two Spanish teams had drawn 2-2. The Gunners have hardly faltered in their campaign, their last match ending 9-3 against PSV after they had taken a tremendous 7-1 aggregate win to Eindhoven.

But Real have won the CL more times than any other team, so they would not be any sort of pushover, and Arsenal surely knew that. They were the team most likely though, two attacks early on but no score as Real headed down their half and almost opened the scoring themselves. On the half-hour their star player almost did it, but Mbappe's shot kept out by Raya. Double save just before the break kept the Spanish team in it, and it was really hard to predict who would score first.

It was Arsenal, just before the hour from a free as Rice blasted it into the net, then the Gunners had a golden chance to make it two - well, actually they had three rapid-fire chances, none of which went in, but Real being made look very ordinary by the English team. With a half-hour left to go Rice did it again, and again from a free kick, Arsenal two to the good. Merino made it certain with their third four minutes later, Arsenal in great shape for their return to Spain next week.

Result: Arsenal 3 - 0 Real Madrid

[Trollheart]

Wednesday April 9 2025


Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa
France v England
Parc des Princes, Paris

Our chance to take advantage of Liverpool's exit from the league and go for broke to try to get into the semis. Old enmities would resurface as the age-old rivalry between England and France came to the fore again, and away we would have to make a good showing to have something decent to take back home for the second leg.  Unai Emery faced the team he used to manage, back on his old stomping ground and out to spoil the chances of the last French team left in the running to get to the semifinals.

First shot in anger from the home team, but well over the top, second shot a few minutes later into the waiting arms of Martinez, and within seven minutes the Villa keeper was down to save again. Definitely the French on the front foot in the first ten minutes of the match, Villa hardly able to get at the ball. Midway through the first half PSG coming close to opening the scoring, just a shade over the bar, but still pretty much one-way traffic so far.

Even so, first blood to Villa just after the hour, excellent break, probably one of the only passages of play they managed to put together, and Rashford, Tielemans and Rogers combined to take the opening goal and stun Paris. Five minutes later Martinez almost let the ball squirm past him, but it didn't cross the line. A minute after that and he was picking the ball out of the net as PSG equalised. To be fair, the home side had looked the most likely, and the Villa goal came somewhat against the run of play. Just before the break PSG could have gone ahead, Martinez able to keep it out.

Hammerblow for Villa two minutes into the restart as PSG scored to take the lead, just before the hour it could have been three, again but for the acrobatic Villa keeper. Too much surrendering of the ball by Villa, hard enough for us as it was without helping the French team. Nearly disaster in the 70th minute as PSG scored their third, but ruled offside. One minute later a rather rare Villa attack, but a weak shot and no trouble to the PSG keeper.

Ten minutes to go, Villa still behind, but one more goal would change things either way. And in the last minute of extra time it was PSG who got it, taking a two-goal advantage back to Birmingham next week. Have to say, they deserved it. We were poor, and now have it all to do back at Villa Park.

Result: Paris Saint-Germain 3 - 1 Aston Villa



Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund
Spain v Germany
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Barcelona

Barcelona had the first attack on five minutes, but punched away by the Dortmund keeper, than again across the face of goal. Lewandowski then tried his luck a minute later but pawed over the bar. Midway through the half the relentless pressure told and the home side were ahead. Suspicion of offside but VAR said the goal stood, Barcelona ahead.

In extra time at the end of the half Dortmund almost levelled, but side netting only, then Barcelona took their second two minutes into the second half. Should have been three just after the hour but just scraped the post, the Spaniards keeping up the pressure and almost scoring again a few minutes later. The third came from the veteran Lewandowski, Barcelona firmly in the driving seat, where they had been since the kick-off. A fourth made it certain on with 15 minutes to go, Dortmund blown away.

Result: Barcelona 4 - 0 Borussia Dortmund

So going into the second leg next week it's advantage Arsenal, Inter, Barcelona and PSG. Biggest advantage is to Barcelona, Dortmund having to score 4 without reply to force extra time, or 5 to win. Arsenal are next, taking a three-goal advantage to Real, while Villa need to score 2 to draw level at Villa Park and Bayern just the one.

[jimmy jazz]

Third goal was a big blow right at the end but I still think it's not over.

Win by two goals at home. It's doable.

[Trollheart]

It's doable, but PSG are something of a machine aren't they? Never should have conceded the third goal. Gut punch, right at the end. Up the Villa! Maybe.

[Saulaac]

Best of luck, Villa!

Is Mbappé back in the PSG team? Not that it matters. Over 30 and everyone starts to slow down.

[Trollheart]

Doesn't Mbappe play for Real? Or have I missed something?

[jimmy jazz]

Best of luck, Villa!

Is Mbappé back in the PSG team? Not that it matters. Over 30 and everyone starts to slow down.

He left on a free to Real Madrid in the summer. He's 26 BTW.

This current PSG team is quite young with no star players.

I think people are over rating them a bit, especially Dembele who has been very average up to 6 months ago and he's 27.

Unai came out and said we'll win on Tuesday, I've never heard him say that before. I can feel something special is coming.

[Saulaac]

I thought Mbappé was older than 26. The way he's been complaining about things made me think he was an old man already.

I don't follow footy everyday but this could indeed be a great night for Villa. Go for it!

[Trollheart]

Quarter-finals, Second Leg

Wednesday April 16 2025


Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona
(Germany v Spain)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Aggregate: Borussia Dortmund 0 - 4 Barcelona

A huge mountain for Dortmund to climb, even at home, and you could hardly imagine Barcelona not scoring, so four goals needed without reply to make it to extra time and have a slim chance of getting to the semis. Seemed impossible? A penalty on ten minutes certainly helped, and the second half was barely started when they had their second, the aggregate now 4-2 to the Spanish. It began to fall apart again though with a forced own goal just before the hour, the aggregate now 5-2, all Dortmund's hard work undone.

On 76 minutes they pulled another back, so now 5-3 on aggregate, Barca certainly not playing as the sort of team we expect, but too little too late in the end, and the Spanish giants go through, as expected.

Result: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 1 Barcelona
Aggregate result: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 5 Barcelona
Through to semi-finals: Barcelona


Aston Villa v Paris Saint-Germain
(England v France)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Aggregate: Aston Villa 1 - 3 Paris Saint-Germain

A tall order for us, even at home, two goals needed without reply to force extra time. Could we do it? Could we overturn the huge lead from Paris and go on to meet Arsenal in an all-English semi? It certainly did not look so when PSG widened that lead with their first goal on the night, 4-1 now on aggregate to the French. Rogers came close to pulling one back but just shaved the post, then just before the half-hour PSG were two up, and the game surely over already. Six minutes later we had one, but like Real against Arsenal, probably a consolation only.

Rashford came close as the second half opened but PSG keeper able to keep it out, then just before the hour mark McGinn popped up again as Villa's hero, 2-2 on the night, 5-3 aggregate. Could it happen? Again Rashford came close but a fantastic save to keep it out, but moments later it was 3-2 on the night, 5-4 on aggregate! And lots of time left to make it level and push for extra time. Villa piling all the pressure on now, desperate to force that fourth goal and get to extra time.

But despite an incredible fight back, it proved a bridge too far for us. We can certainly hold our heads high, but it's PSG who go through to the semis. What a game!

Result: Aston Villa 3 - 2 Paris Saint-Germain
Aggregate result: Aston Villa 4 - 5 Paris Saint-Germain
Through to semi-finals: Paris Saint-Germain



Real Madrid v Arsenal
Spain v England
Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Aggregate: Real Madrid 0 - 3 Arsenal

For any other team you'd say it was already over, Arsenal taking a three-goal lead back to the Bernabeu, but then, this is not just any other team: this is Real Madrid, and they were at home. Putting the pressure on from the start as expected, Real looked to have reduced the deficit early, but Mbappe offside. Arsenal tried to widen the gap and came close, certainly not sitting on their three-nil lead. Boos ringing out around the stadium as Arsenal were awarded a penalty, but then cheers resounded around the home of Real as the shot was saved. Was it a sign that the Spanish side would take the day? Well, soon after that miss Real had their own penalty appeal, but this time turned down.

And so we ended the half as it had begun, no score but the Gunners still 3-0 ahead on aggregate. To be fair, Real had not looked like a team that needed to make up three goals to stand any chance of reaching the semis, and Arsenal were having mostly a comfortable time of it. Just after the hour they were done and dusted, Arsenal scoring their first on the night, fourth overall, and less than thirty minutes for Real to get now four goals just to force extra time. Even the holders must have considered that beyond them.

An almost perfect performance by the English team was marred only by a stupid mistake minutes after scoring, when they allowed Real in, 1-1 on the night but still surely too high a mountain for the Spaniards to climb? In extra time they almost pulled another back, but even had they done, it was asking too much. And they didn't; Arsenal in fact taking their second on the night, fifth on aggregate in the last minutes of extra time to send them through to the semi-finals.

Result: Real Madrid 1 - 2 Arsenal
Aggregate result: Real Madrid 1 - 5 Arsenal
Through to semi-finals: Arsenal


Inter MIlan v Bayern Munich
(Italy v Germany)
San Siro, Milan
Aggregate: Inter Milan 2 - 1 Bayern Munich

Could the last Italian team in the quarter-finals make it through to the semis and leave Germany with no representation in the semis? Inter had the advantage at home, but one goal from Bayern and that lead would be gone. Both teams came close but no score in the first half, Bayern certainly the better team, Inter defending their one-goal lead, and the second half had hardly begun before Harry Kane wiped out that lead to go one up on the night, and level the score on aggregate.

An Inter corner just before the hour mark though levelled the match and restored the Italians' aggregate lead, this increased three minutes later, Inter now two goals to one on the night, aggregate 4-2. Bayern fought back with 15 minutes to go, cutting the aggregate to 4-3 and giving themselves hope, and with six additional minutes to play, could they turn it around? No, rather like Villa they played well but victory eluded them, and Inter Milan go through.

Result: Inter Milan 2 - 2 Bayern Munich
Aggregate result: Inter Milan 4 - 3 Bayern Munich
Through to semi-finals: Inter Milan

So that's both German teams knocked out, and one English team remaining. The semi-finals then are:

Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona v Inter Milan

[Trollheart]

Semi-finals, first leg
Tuesday April 29 2025


Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain
(England v France)
The Emirates, London

Flying the flag as the last English team left in the semis, Arsenal were at home so should have had the advantage, but we thought that too, and PSG beat us, if only on aggregate. We beat them on the night, though, so perhaps Arsenal could use home advantage to give them a chance in the second leg. Perhaps not: four minutes on the clock and PSG were ahead, and could have been two ahead before the break but for the Arsenal keeper, who saved two great shots from the French team. Mind you, the Gunners had their chances too but the man in goal for PSG just as dependable as theirs.

A free in the 51st minute should have levelled the game, but after a very long VAR check the goal was deemed to have been offside, and so 1-0 it remained. Arsenal continued to push for the equaliser but PSG held on to take the single goal back to Paris, and in fact came close to doubling that lead, just scraping the post and then cracking off the crossbar.

Result: Arsenal 0 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain
Aggregate result: 1-0 to PSG

Wednesday April 30 2025



Barcelona v Inter Milan
(Spain v Italy)
Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys, Barcelona

A dream start for the Italians as Inter scored in the very first minute, Barcelona's defence undone with a cheeky Thuram backheel, of all things. These sort of errors do not occur within the ranks of the Spanish giants! They went on the hunt for an equaliser, coming close soon after but just wide of the post, things getting even worse for them by the midway point as Inter doubled their lead and looked very much to be heading for the final. But count Barca out at your peril, and they reduced Inter's lead to just the one just three minutes after the Italians had scored their second. A bad error then almost let Barcelona in for the leveller, but saved by the Inter keeper, until seven minutes from the break when the Spanish scored again to leave us all square, a super turnaround, but no more than you would expect really.

Having come back from two down, Barcelona were not going to accept defeat, and went for the winner, but it was Inter who went back ahead just after the hour to again give them one foot in the final. An own goal though edged that foot back over the line as Barcelona equalised for the third time with still twenty minutes to go. Another twist as Inter scored their fourth but it was ruled offside, and so the game ended tied, with nothing to separate the teams at the final whistle.

Result: Barcelona 3 - 3 Inter Milan
Aggregate result: 3-3, no advantage

[Trollheart]

Semi-finals, Second Leg
Tuesday May 6 2025



Inter Milan v Barcelona
Italy v Spain
San Siro, Milan
Aggregate: Inter Milan 3 - 3 Barcelona

Two real giants, both at the top of their game, going head-to-head to see who would make it to the final of the 2024/25 Champions League. No advantage to either team, as the first leg had ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, so anyone's game, though at home you would think Inter might have a slight advantage. And they were ahead at the midway point of the first half, Barcelona coming close to levelling soon after, having a penalty shout turned down in the process, then Inter could have extended their lead but shot wide. They were able to do this in extra time at the end of the half as VAR awarded them a penalty just before the break.

The second half was less than ten minutes old before Barca were able to halve Inter's lead, and the Spanish titans went very close to being all square moments later, but this time saved by the keeper. They hadn't long to wait for their second though, and as the hour clocked up it was 2-2. Were we about to have a repeat of the first leg? A penalty for Barcelona, given this time, was very tight, but deemed to have taken place outside the box, so a free instead. Barca pushed for the winner, and looked to have got it with three minutes to play, and in extra time they tried for a fourth, to put the result beyond doubt.

As time ticked away, the final minute of extra time saw Inter draw level to send the game into extra time with the aggregate now at 6-6! Barca could have snatched it in the dying seconds but straight at the keeper, so another half-hour of football to decide who would go to the final, and in the first half of the extra time it was Inter who took it with their fourth. Lewandowski almost equalised again for Barcelona in the second half but into the keeper's arms, and the Italians held on to win the game and book their place in the Champions League final. Bellissimo!


Result: Inter Milan 4 - 3 Barcelona

Wednesday May 7 2025


Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal
France v England
Parc des Princes, Paris
Aggregate: Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 0 Arsenal

PSG have been making short work of their opposition, beating us away and then holding us off on aggregate, though beaten by us at home, to go on into the semis. Arsenal were a goal down as they travelled to the Parc des Princes, so an early goal was essential for them if they hoped to make it to the final. With Liverpool already Premiership champions, and out of the FA Cup, this was the London side's only chance for silverware this season.

Rice came close early on, but just past the post from his header, Arsenal on the attack as they put the home side under pressure. Another shot, this time from a corner, but this time at the keeper, who parried it away. Another corner, this time punched away by the PSG keeper, and then a wonderful save keeping Odegaard out. The French side almost snatched it, the ball coming back off the upright, helped on its way by the Arsenal keeper, PSG applying pressure of their own now. A free kick opened the scoring for PSG, the aggregate now 2-0.

Almost two on the night but for some fine defending from Arsenal, but they squandered a fine opportunity to get back into the match and halve the aggregate late in the half. Saka came closest in the second half, but the agility of the French keeper denied him his goal, then Arsenal looked done as PSG got a penalty - but Raya saved the spot kick, a terrible penalty but a good save. PSG wrapped it up with 18 minutes to go, 2 on the night, 3 on aggregate, while Arsenal did pull one back four minutes later, suspicion of offside but not this time, Saka missing yet another sitter. Arsenal, the last English side left in the competition, out.

Result: Paris Saint-Germain 2 - 1 Arsenal

So we at last have our two finalists, and it will be a clash between France and Italy.

[jimmy jazz]

Villa have been the best English side in the CL.

Liverpool and Arsenal did fuck all against PSG. We had them absolutely shitting themselves and running about like deer in headlights.

That second half at VP gave them the shock of their lives.

We are closer to winning this than people think.