Champions League semifinals: 3 things we learned from the first legs
What we learned about the four teams left in Europe's top club competition
Halfway through the Champions League semifinals, there’s plenty to dissect from the two matches that were played this week.
Real Madrid and Manchester City played to a tense 1-1 at the Estadio Bernabeu on Tuesday, while Inter Milan defeated intra-city rivals AC Milan 2-0 the following day at the San Siro.
Here are three storylines that emerged from the semifinals so far:
3. Leao AC Milan’s best player
AC Milan’s biggest offensive weapon missed the first leg after an injury last weekend. Indeed, Rafael Leao’s absence was notable as Inter Milan scored two goals early in the first half to win the game.
Inter exploited the fact AC Milan was not as incisive in the final third. Defensively, AC Milan used both center backs in a wide position, leaving a gap in the back when midfielders failed to drop back. Inter took advantage of that blunder.
AC Milan’s counterattack never materialized and Inter did a very good job defending its lead in the second half. Whether AC Milan can mount a comeback in the second leg remains to be seen given just how good this Inter side can be in cup competitions under coach Simone Inzaghi.
2. De Bruyne always comes up big
There are a few things in life you can count on. One of them is that Kevin De Bruyne will come up big in the UCL knockout stage. The Belgian attacking midfielder scored the equalizer for Man City in the second half, a goal that came against the run of play and a screamer from 25 yards out to boot.
It was a massive long-range goal — especially because Erling Haaland was unable to find the back of the net — but one that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti argued should have been disallowed because the ball was out of play in the buildup to the goal.
Nonetheless, it was another goal for the De Bruyne highlight reel. In fact, he has scored 11 of his 14 UCL goals for Manchester City in the knockout stage.
1. Man City and Real put on defensive masterclass
For all the great goals, it was Real Madrid and Man City’s respective backlines that should be lauded. It was no coincidence that both goals came from outside the penalty box. Defense could again be key in the return match.
As James Benge noted at CBS Sports: “Luka Modric and Bernardo Silva can weave as many elegant patterns as they like but if the offside traps hold firm, the tackles are made and the goalkeepers stand firm, defense can just about carry the day. Neither Madrid nor City could make it as far as a clean sheet but both left their opponent with only one route to goal: the simply magical.”
The second legs will be played next week. Inter Milan take on AC Milan on May 16, while Man City host Real Madrid the following day.