This week we have the return legs of the Champions League Semi-Finals. The first fixture we will look at is from the San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza where Inter will host Barcelona, the first leg resulted in six goals but nothing could separate the two sides. It was Inter that netted first in the first leg thanks to striker Marcus Thuram after just one minute played, the Italian side’s lead was doubled in 21 minutes when winger Denzel Dumfires scored. The Catalan side were well and truly on the back foot and needed to get back in the game before half time and thanks to youngster Lamine Yamal who scored with his left foot to the bottom left hand corner. The first half comeback was completed in 38 minutes when Ferran Torres scored from very close range assisted by Raphina with a head pass.
The two sides went in level at the break but the homeside had the momentum now so many would of expected them to be more likely scored next, that wasn’t to be though as on the 63rd minute Denzel Dumfires scored his second of the game to put Inter 2-3 ahead with a header to the top left corner. Barcelona were let back into the game again just two minutes later when Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer put the ball into his own net which made it 3-3 and that’s how the first leg ended.
Simone Inzaghi’s side needed a win at the weekend to keep their chances alive for winning the Serie A title but it was only a 1-0 victory at home to Verona where midfielder Kristjan Asllani scored from the penalty spot. They chose to rest Marcus Thuram, Denzel Dumfires and keeper Yann Sommer for that game so they were fresh for this match in Europe. They have three points to close in just three games to get level on points with leaders Napoli.
The Catalan club maintained their four point lead at the top of La Liga with a victory away against Real Valladolid 1-2. They had to come from behind after the homeside scored after just six minutes, it wasn’t till the 54th minute when Raphina got the game level with a right foot shot from the centre of the box. Then just six minutes later Fermin Lopez netted to put Hans-Dieter Flick’s side in front, that’s how the match ended against the bottom of the table team. Flick was another manager who made the decision to rest his key players so they were fresh for this second leg Semi-Final.
We can expect goals again here but we will need more than 90 minutes to separate the two sides?
The best odds for this fixture can be found at gambling sites not on Gamban here: Inter 15/8, Barcelona 13/10 and the Draw 14/5. Kick off 20.00pm Tuesday Live on Amazon Prime.
The other Semi-Final is from the Parc des Princes where PSG will welcome Arsenal for part two of their affair. Arsenal would have fancied their chances of getting a victory in the first leg after their home and away win against cup holders Real Madrid but that wasn’t the case. It took just four minutes for the French side to score and it was leading goal scorer Ousmane Dembele who scored with his left foot to the bottom right corner. The game went in at the break with the visitors leading by a goal to nil. Mikel Arteta’s side started the second half strongly and Mikel Merino netted on 50 minutes but VAR ruled it out, the Gunners pressed for an equaliser but unfortunately for them it didn’t come so they now need a win in Paris to reach the final.
Luis Enrique’s side already had the French Ligue 1 title won so they rested some key players for their away match at Strasbourg, they were 2-0 down at half time but Bradley Barcola got a goal back for his side to peg it back to 2-1. Strasbourg are pushing for a place in Europe next season so you could definitely see they were the more hungry of the two sides here. After a couple of delays the match ended 2-1.
Mikel Arteta decided to not rest any players for his home match against Bournemouth at the weekend as they aren’t guaranteed runners up spot yet. The Gunner went 1-0 up after 34 minutes thanks to Declan Rice who scored from the right side of the box but this time not from a free kick. The Cherries scored two goals from very close range, Dean Huijsen scoring first on 67 minutes and then Evanilson on 75 minutes to give the seaside club a 1-2 lead. That meant the North London side are without a win in their last three matches in all competitions!
We expect Arsenal to try and settle into the match in the first 20 minutes and not make the same mistake as the first leg. The French side know the threat of Declan Rice from free kicks so they will be doing their utmost to not concede a set piece in their own half. This contest signals goals with the side scoring the first of the match being in a great position.
The best odds for this fixture can be found at gambling sites that accept credit cards here: PSG 11/10, Arsenal 12/5 and the Draw 27/10. Kick off 20.00pm Wednesday Live on TNT Sports 1.
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