The UEFA Champions League has reached boiling point as the second legs of the semi-finals are set to be concluded this week. All four teams challenging for supremacy have displayed pure resilience and played with verve in getting this far, which makes predicting the finalists a mammoth task.
The Spanish giants, and the most decorated club in the history of this coveted European club competition. Real Madrid is the favorite going into their clash with German-sworn rivals Bayern Munich, however, the Bavarians are no underdogs.
Thomas Tuchel has an outstanding record in the competition, reaching the semi-final stage of the competition with three different clubs (Bayern Munich, PSG, and Chelsea). Add Bayern’s impressive big-match temperament and we have a real contest on our hands. As the visitors, the German powerhouse will have to withstand the fortress of the Santiago Bernabeu if they are to stand any chance of going to Wembley on the 1st of June.
The reigning Spanish champions have already knocked out the defending champions Manchester City in the Quarter Finals which will certainly come as a huge confidence booster heading into this match.
The charismatic Carlo Ancelotti who is gunning for his fifth Uefa Champions League triumph shouldn’t expect a walkover on Wednesday. With his counterpart relinquishing the Bundesliga, it is clear to see that he will pin his last hopes of sparing his side’s blushes by steering his outfit to glory in this prestigious competition.
Despite being a goal down on aggregate, French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also in a pole position to reach the final for the first time since 2020. The Parisians boast a formidable strike force led by the mercurial Kylian Mbappe and are capable of overturning any goal deficit when playing at the Parc Des Princes.
Luis Enrique proved his tactical prowess when PSG overturned a 2-3 loss against Barcelona in the first leg into a 6-4 aggregate victory in the second leg. Dortmund will have to be defensively astute and resolute if they plan to shut down the lightning pace of the trio of Ouseman Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani as well as Mbappe on Tuesday.
With both teams having the comforts of home advantage, my money is on a Madrid vs Paris showdown in London.
Written by Benny Mhlongo