For the last seven months, the new edition of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League has produced some outstanding matches, goals, and unbelievable moments. With 184 matches completed and a huge 596 goals scored, it’s now time for the semi-finals. Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain have a dream Munich final in their sights.
Which teams are playing in the semi-finals?
Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain (Tuesday, April 29, 2025, kick-off 3ET/12PT)
If both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain’s European journeys were summed up as a whole, it would probably be the classic high flyers vs underachievers, with two very different pathways to success in Arsenal and PSG.
For English side Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, they have enjoyed an excellent European adventure as they reached the semi-finals of the UCL for just the third time in their history - since 2009 when they lost to Manchester United - after dumping out the 15-time winners and defending champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals over two legs.
The Gunners finished third in the new Champions League league phase, winning six of their eight matches, including a 2-0 home victory over their French opponents back in September.
Over the 12 matches played in the competition, the North London side have scored 30 goals, which is an average of 2.5 goals per match.
Arteta’s team have lost just once in this year’s competition, and that came in the league phase on matchday four in a 1-0 defeat to Italian side Inter Milan at the San Siro.
Since then, the Gunners have remained unbeaten and have conceded just seven goals, having one of the best defensive backlines.
Arsenal are aiming to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. The last and only time they reached a European final was in 2006 when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona, and Samuel Eto’o scored.
Midfielder Declan Rice scored two incredible free-kicks against Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-finals as the Gunners won that match 3-0 at home and 2-1 in Madrid.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain made a poor start to their Champions League season as they lost three of their eight league matches.
Performances from the Parisians got so bad that Luis Enrique’s team were very close to being eliminated from the competition because of their league position, but turned it around on the final matchday to secure a 15th place in the table and a Round of 16 play-off spot.
French winger Ousmane Dembele has been a standout player for PSG, scoring seven goals, including a hat-trick against German side Stuttgart to secure qualification from the group stages.
Barcelona v Inter Milan (Wednesday, April 30, 2025, kick-off 15:00 ET/12PT)
This matchup speaks of Champions League royalty as Barcelona and Inter Milan clash for a place in the final in Munich. With eight Champions League trophies between the two sides, this is the definition of a European heavyweight.
Spanish side Barcelona, led by German manager Hansi Flick, have been the most attacking-minded team throughout the entire Champions League.
The Blaugrana finished second in the league phase with six wins from eight, with 19 points, and took the Round of 16 stage by absolute storm, leaving their opponents hopeless as Portuguese side Benfica were the first to fall.
Barcelona won 4-1 on aggregate after a 3-1 home win in the second leg. In the quarter-finals, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice against his former team Borussia Dortmund in a 4-0 demolition job in the first leg.
Despite the 3-1 loss in Dortmund, Lewandowski, with the help of Raphinha and teenage star Lamine Yamal, and Barcelona sailed into the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they will face Inter Milan.
Winger Raphinha has enjoyed an impressive season in the Champions League, where he has scored 12 goals in the competition, just one behind Serhou Guirassy of previously eliminated Dortmund. He also has the most assists in the competition with seven.
Barcelona have been dominant in attack as they have scored a huge 37 goals throughout the Champions League so far, and they could add to that tally when they play Inter.
The Catalan side are no stranger to lifting the Champions League, doing so on five occasions, with their last triumph coming in 2015 against Juventus in Berlin.
Inter Milan, three-time UEFA Champions League winners, have also produced strong displays in this year's competition, with their defensive game key to their success.
Conceding just five goals, which makes out to be 0.42 goals per match, just highlights that they rarely let in any goals, if so very few, and ultimately shows how good the Nerazzurri have been in the Champions League so far.
Spearheaded by Argentinian frontman and captain Lautaro Martinez with the midfield excellence and awareness of Nicolo Barella, Inter Milan will fancy their chances of reaching the Champions League final for the first time since 2010, which was this very same match under the great Jose Mourinho.
Head coach Simone Inzaghi's tactical awareness between attack and defense has been evident in Inter Milan’s play despite operating in the attacking 3-5-2 formation.
Form Guide (Last five matches)
Draw: 1-1 Crystal Palace
Win: 0-4 Ipswich
Win: 1-2 Real Madrid
Draw: 1-1 Brentford
Win: 3-0 Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain
Lost: 1-3 Nice
Draw: 1-1 Nantes
Win: 2-1 Le Havre
Lost: 3-2 Aston Villa
Win: 3-1 Aston Villa
Win: 3-2 Real Madrid
Win: 1-0 Mallorca
Win: 4-3 Celta Vigo
Lost: 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Win: 0-1 Leganes
Inter Milan
Lost: 0-1 Roma
Lost: 0-3 AC Milan
Lost: 1-0 Bologna
Draw: 2-2 Bayern Munich
Win: 1-0 Cagliari
Key Players to watch
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Arsenal midfielder has produced yet another great season for the Gunners, and it seems his £105 million move from West Ham last summer has been money well spent. Rice’s Champions League performances for Arsenal have received huge praise ,especially for his two unbelievable free-kick goals in the 3-0 home win against Real Madrid in the first leg of quarter finals.
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Paris attacker Ousmane Dembele has been a key player for Enrique’s team, saving the French giants from group phase elimination and part of the side that dumped out early favorites Liverpool in the Round of 16 stage. The 27-year-old’s pace and shooting ability have been a real threat to the opposition, and he’s likely to have another important role in their challenge for a first-ever Champions League trophy.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Robert Lewandowski, widely known as one of the best goal scorers in the game, has yet again produced another stunning season in front of goal with Barcelona. The Polish striker has scored 41 goals in 52 matches in all competitions, including 11 in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League for the Blaugrana. The two-time Champions League winner hopes to lead his side past the semi-finals as Barcelona seeks a sixth Champions League crown.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
With eight goals in 11 matches in the Champions League for Inter this season, striker Martinez has been the figurehead for the Italians this season. Sitting in second place and just three points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, the Nerazzurri will be seeking a League and Cup double, both of which are likely. Martinez’s goals, with the help of fellow striker Marcus Thuram, will be vital if Inter wants to reach a Champions League final for the first time since 2010.
How to watch the semi-final Champions League games?
Arsenal host PSG at the Emirates Stadium in the semi-final first leg of the 2024-25 Champions League on Tuesday, April 29. The match kicks off at 15:00 ET/12PT. Viewers can watch the game live on CBS Sports and Paramount+.
Barcelona play Inter Milan at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium for the first leg of the semi-final in the Champions League, a repeat of the 2010 final, on Wednesday, April 30. TV viewers can watch the game live on CBS Sports and Paramount,+ and kick off is 15:00ET/12:00PT.
