The UEFA Champions League has reached its final four teams, who are preparing to play their semifinal first legs this week with the goal of reaching the final on May 31 at Munich`s Allianz Arena.
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have recently celebrated winning their first domestic trophies of the season and are still hoping to achieve a treble, though they face differing challenges. The French champions travel to Arsenal on Tuesday to begin their semifinal tie. This marks Arsenal`s first Champions League semifinal appearance in nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, Barcelona is set to host Inter Milan on Wednesday in the other first leg match.
Both Arsenal and Inter have significant motivation. The Champions League is Arsenal`s only remaining chance for silverware this season, while Inter is balancing their European ambitions with a Serie A title race that appears to be slipping away. Below, we present analysis and predictions from our experts.
Arsenal vs. PSG Preview
Player to Watch: Declan Rice Given Thomas Partey`s suspension and Jorginho`s injury, Declan Rice is expected to feature in a deeper midfield role. Can the player who shone in the quarterfinal deliver a performance that brings more attacking progression at the Emirates Stadium? Arsenal will need someone who can physically match PSG`s highly technical midfield, a task Rice is theoretically well-suited for.
Man of the Match: Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG The Italian goalkeeper has been impressive throughout the season, particularly noted for making at least three crucial saves in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Aston Villa, which proved vital for PSG`s qualification. The French giants will require another performance of that caliber from their keeper at the Emirates Stadium.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score Although the odds are relatively tight, in a match as difficult to call as Arsenal versus PSG, it`s wise to back the star attackers to make an impact. PSG is likely to play with extra intensity after their perfect league season run ended, but Arsenal`s defense is strong, suggesting this match might not feature many goals. Nevertheless, considering PSG`s attacking quality and tendency to concede, both teams finding the net is a plausible outcome.
Prediction: Arsenal 1, Paris Saint-Germain 2 While Arsenal secured a comfortable 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage, Luis Enrique`s squad has evolved significantly since that October encounter in North London. PSG has progressively become arguably Europe`s most exciting team, managed in a unique way by Enrique that makes them difficult to overcome. Expect a competitive contest at the Emirates Stadium, but one that ultimately favors PSG due to their potentially superior attacking power, possibly aided by another strong showing from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Barcelona vs. Inter Preview
Player to Watch: Pedri Barcelona is anticipated to have considerable possession in advanced areas against an Inter side that excels at organizing defensively against top attacking teams. Can Pedri identify and exploit the defensive gaps, distributing quick passes forward when opportunities arise? His form this season suggests he is more than capable of doing so.
Man of the Match: Lamine Yamal The young Spanish winger has been sensational this season, including his performance in the recent Copa del Rey final where Hansi Flick`s Barcelona clinched their second trophy with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid. Inter`s defense has shown vulnerability, and Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni are expected to face a very tough task containing Yamal`s talent on Barcelona`s left flank.
Best Bet: Dani Olmo 1+ Shot on Target and 2+ Shots Total Inter`s defense has been effective at keeping goals out, but they have still allowed opponents numerous scoring chances. With Barcelona`s diverse attacking threats like Raphinha, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo should find space to operate. He is known for being eager to shoot. Olmo could easily trouble Yann Sommer multiple times, but opting for at least one shot on target and two shots overall seems like a sensible, slightly conservative bet for the first leg.
Prediction: Barcelona 2, Inter 1 Even without Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona remains the favored side, and their Copa del Rey victory on Saturday demonstrated their ability to score goals and handle pressure—a contrast to Inter, whose hopes for a treble are dashed and who are winless in their last four matches. While the Champions League might be Inter`s sole remaining objective after falling to second in Serie A, facing the current form of Barcelona could prove too demanding.
