Bayern Munich’s dominant season continues Wednesday as they look to secure their place in the Champions League semifinals. Holding a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid after last week’s first leg, the Bundesliga leaders are eyeing a treble of titles this season.
Currently at the top of the domestic table, Die Roten is also in the semifinals next week of the German Cup. If Bayern can close out Real Madrid, they will reach the Champions League final four for the second time in three seasons.
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Last week, the Bernabéu was stunned when Luis Díaz scored in the 41st minute and Harry Kane doubled Bayern Munich’s lead one minute into the second half. Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the 74th minute wasn’t enough to salvage the match for Real Madrid, but it provided a lifeline entering the second leg.
“[Wednesday] is a very difficult game. We’re behind,” said Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. “It’s important to be present and active. It’s a really important game for our situation. It’s almost like a final for us. We all know what tomorrow’s about. Every defeat in the Champions League feels like a disaster. It’s a final. We need to put everything into this game. It’s all or nothing. We need to be aggressive and do our all to win.”
Arteta wants Arsenal to embrace the pressure
Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time goal last week allowed Arsenal to take a 1-0 lead home to the Emirates against Sporting. The Gunners are hopeful for at least a double with the Champions League and Premier League titles still in focus.
But Sporting is also chasing a domestic and European double and already has shown an ability to come back after erasing a 3-0 deficit to Bodø/Glimt with a 5-0 win in the Round of 16 second leg.
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As Arsenal enters Wednesday’s match losers of three of their past four games in all competitions, and their grasp on the Premier League title is starting to slip, manager Mikel Arteta has told his players to embrace the pressure.
“The players need perspective on where they are in the Champions League and the Premier League,” Arteta said. “We need to embrace that, and the higher you are, the bumpier it gets. I am more demanding, and the line is thinner between being the best and the worst, and you have to cope with that.
“The motivation is to give the people who deserve it what they are looking for. It’s not for the rest. The energy is on these people because they are the ones who deserve it.”
Following along with Yahoo Sports for all of Wednesday’s Champions League action:
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Sean Leahy
Atlético Madrid vs. Arsenal
PSG vs. Bayern MunichThe two-legged matches will take place April 28-29 and May 5-6.
The 2025-26 Champions League Final will be held on May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Hungary.
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Sean Leahy
Bayern Munich advances 6-4 on aggregate and will meet PSG in the semifinals.
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Sean Leahy
The Gunners are in the semifinals and will face Atlético Madrid after knocking out Sporting 1-0 on aggregate.
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Sean Leahy
Minutes after Eduardo Camavinga was sent off with a second yellow card, Luis Díaz scores just before stoppage time. Bayern Munich leads 5-4 on a aggregate and are minutes from advancing to the semifinal.
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Sean Leahy
Real Madrid will be down to 10 men for the rest of the match after Eduardo Camavinga committed a foul on Harry Kane and then carried the ball away to waste time. That choice drew a second yellow from referee Slavko Vinčić.
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
Arsenal and Sporting remain deadlocked at 0-0, but the Gunners hold the all-important 1-0 aggregate lead as they look to close out the Portuguese side.
Over at Allianz Arena, a five-goal first half sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid.
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
We have another first-half goal and it’s now 4-4 on aggregate.
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Sean Leahy
The Bayern Munich striker scored the fourth goal of this first half to level the second leg 2-2, but more important give the Bundesliga side the 4-3 edge on aggregate.
Kane now has 50 goals in 42 games in all competitions.
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Sean Leahy
Arda Güler has a second first-half goal as his free kick puts the tie against Bayern Munich back to level at 3-3.
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
Vinícius Júnior is a caution away from being ruled out of the first leg of the semifinal should Real Madrid advance. He was given a stern talking to by referee Slavko Vinčić.
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Sean Leahy
What an opening six minutes to this match. After Manuel Neuer’s gaffe helped Real Madrid level the tie, Aleksandar Pavlovic heads home a goal off a corner to give Bayern Munich a 3-2 lead on aggregate.
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Sean Leahy
A massive error by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer gifts a goal to Arda Güler. We are now level at two on aggregate after just 40 seconds
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Sean Leahy
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper would have a chance to break Iker Casillas’ record during next season’s Champions League campaign.
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Sean Leahy
Both matches have kicked off and we are a few hours away from finding out who will join Atlético Madrid and PSG in the Champions League semifinals.
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
The Liverpool forward went down with a non-contact injury during Tuesday’s loss to Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.
Multiple reports state that the France international will miss at least nine months after he was stretchered off the pitch in the first half. Ekitike is scheduled for scans on Wednesday to determine the severity of the rupture.
Champions League quarterfinals
Atlético Madrid advances 3-2 on aggregate over Barcelona
PSG advances 4-0 on aggregate over Liverpool
Wednesday, April 15
Arsenal advances 1-0 on aggregate over Sporting CP
Bayern Munich advances 6-4 on aggregate over Real Madrid
Champions League semifinals
April 28-29 and May 5-6
Atlético Madrid vs. Arsenal
PSG vs. Bayern Munich
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Final: May 30 (Puskás Aréna, Hungary)
Wednesday’s Champions League results
FT: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (Arsenal advances 1-0 on aggregate)
FT: Bayern Munich 4-3 Real Madrid (Bayern Munich advances 6-4 on aggregate)
