UEFA Champions League Semi Finals: PSG Host Bayern, Atletico Face Arsenal

The Champions League semi-finals arrive with four giants still standing, as PSG take on Bayern Munich in Paris and Atletico Madrid face Arsenal in Spain, setting up two fascinating first legs at the very top of European football.

PSG vs Bayern Munich – 28/04 – 20:00 KO

The stage is set in Paris as two European heavyweights, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, meet in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Paris Saint-Germain come into the clash in strong domestic and European shape, having already put themselves in a commanding position in the Ligue 1 title race, while continuing to assert their dominance on the Europeans stage. Luis Enrique’s side have been ruthless in the knockout rounds, sweeping aside Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate before producing a statement 4-0 aggregate victory over Liverpool in the quarter-finals. With 38 goals scored in the competition so far, PSG remain one of the most dangerous attacking sides in Europe this season.

They will also be boosted by the return of Vitinha, who has recovered from a heel injury, while Quentin Djantou remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. PSG also carry the psychological weight of recent meetings with Bayern, having lost five consecutive matches against the German champions, including a 2-1 defeat earlier in the campaign during the league phase.

Bayern Munich arrive in Paris in outstanding form, having won their last nine matches across all competitions and remaining unbeaten in 19 since January. Vincent Kompany’s side have already wrapped up another Bundesliga title and continue to build momentum at the perfect time, most recently staging a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to win 4-3 away at Mainz 05. Their European run has been equally dramatic, including a tense victory over Real Madrid CF in the quarter-finals after a rollercoaster second leg at the Allianz Arena.

However, Bayern will be without their head coach on the touchline after Kompany received a suspension following a booking in that Madrid tie. Assistant Aaron Danks will take charge from the sidelines. Injury-wise, Bayern also have concerns, with Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl both ruled out through muscle injuries, while Serge Gnabry is sidelined after a thigh problem and will also miss this summers’ World Cup.

Harry Kane has been in sensational Champions League form, scoring in five consecutive appearances and already reaching a personal best of 12 goals in the competition this season. For PSG, Marquinhos is set to make history, equalling Roberto Carlos’ record of 120 Champions League appearances for a Brazilian player, and he will face the formidable challenge of containing Bayern’s front line.

A second heavyweight semi-final between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal will complete the picture on the following night with the winner of each, meeting in Budapest to battle it out for the biggest trophy in club football.

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal – 29/04 – 20:00 KO

Atlético Madrid host Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg in Madrid this week with both sides chasing a first ever Champions League title, with a place in the final at stake.

Arsenal arrive in Spain unbeaten in this season’s Champions League, having recorded 10 wins and 2 draws, and they were the only side to finish the league phase with a perfect record of 8 wins from 8. They have also been extremely solid defensively throughout the competition, conceding just five goals across 12 matches.

Atletico Madrid have scored 34 goals in this season’s Champions League, which is their highest ever total in a single European Cup or Champions League campaign. They also hold a strong historical record against English opposition in two legged ties, winning 11 of their previous 15, including all three semi-finals, although they were beaten 4 – 0 by Arsenal during the league phase earlier this season.

Arsenal reached the semi-finals, beating Sporting CP 1 – 0 away from home before holding them to a goalless draw in the return leg. Atletico’s route was far more dramatic, as they defeated Barcelona 2 – 0 at the Nou Camp before losing 1 – 2 at home eventually progressing after a tense second leg.

Both teams arrive with injury concerns ahead of the tie. Atletico Madrid are monitoring Pablo Barrios, who is out with a thigh injury, while Ademola Lookman is a doubt after picking up a knock. David Hancko is expected to remain unavailable, and Julian Alvarez is also carrying discomfort, although there is hope he could still feature.

Arsenal also have several fitness issues to manage, with Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz both having recently picked up injuries. Bukayo Saka has returned from a long lay off and could be involved, while Riccardo Calafiori is close to returning. Jurrien Timber remains out with a groin injury, and Mikel Merino is still recovering from a stress fracture but is pushing to return before the end of the season.

Mikel Arteta’s side come into the match after regaining top spot in the Premier League with a 1 – 0 win over Newcastle United, while Atletico have rotated heavily in La Liga in order to prioritise their European campaign.

This semi-final brings together two managers widely respected for their defensive organisation, although their approaches differ in execution.

Diego Simeone has long built Atletico Madrid around defensive structure, compactness, and control of key moments, particularly in knockout football. While they have added more attacking threat this season, their foundation remains built on organisation without the ball and efficiency in transition.

Mikel Arteta has similarly developed Arsenal into one of the most defensively structured sides in Europe, with a focus on controlling space, limiting opposition chances, and maintaining stability across matches.

Both semi-final first legs promise closely contested encounters, with PSG facing Bayern Munich in Paris and Atletico Madrid hosting Arsenal in Spain as all four sides look to take an advantage into the return fixtures.