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With only one round of matches left to play in the Champions League semifinals, this is an exciting time for any football fan. Followers of the sport have already seen some epic matchups in the semifinals; Real Madrid and Manchester City battled in a hard-fought draw, while Inter Milan managed an impressive defeat over AC Milan. But who will outlast their opponents and become crowned champions? We break down our predictions on which team can justify the Champions League winner odds.
Overview of the Semifinals
Real Madrid and Manchester City’s contest was a nail-biter to the end. With both teams giving it everything they had, neither team came out on top, the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw.
The other semifinal match had AC Milan seeking their 88th all-time head-to-head win over Inter Milan, but it was a one-sided affair from a goal perspective. Inter Milan scored two early goals and hung on for a 2-0 win despite losing the overall game possession battle. It was Inter Milan’s third consecutive victory over their rivals.
What Went Wrong for Real Madrid
Real Madrid seemed to control the first half and took an early lead against Manchester City, with Vinicius Jr. scoring a screamer in the 36th minute. However, from there, things sort of hit a brick wall, and they failed to generate many chances.
Midway through the second half, Kevin De Bruyne scored a stunning goal, tying the game and quieting the home crowd. Real Madrid struggled to get anything going the rest of the game, with Manchester City controlling 56 percent of the overall possession. France Tchouameni’s shot provided a brief chance of hope for Madrid, but it was denied. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
It was important for Real Madrid to try and score a win, given that the second leg will be played away from home at Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid, however, faced adversity a year ago, losing the first leg 4-3, and then rallying to beat Manchester City 3-1 in the second leg to advance to the Champions League final, where they came out victorious.
Analysis of AC Milan and Inter Milan’s Performance
AC Milan seemed to control the first half, possessing the ball 59 percent of the time. However, Inter Milan’s defense held its own and took advantage of their chances when they had them. First, Edin Dzeko hit a precise shot from Calhanoglu’s corner in the 8th minute. Just three minutes later, Henrikh Mkhitaryan put the ball inside the net on a perfect pass from Federico Dimarco. Eleven minutes in and AC MIlan was already in a 2-0 hole.
From there, Inter Milan’s defense held strong. In the second half, AC Milan started coming alive and putting pressure on Inter Milan. Sandro Tonali hit the left post in the 63rd minute, but the ball flew out of play.
Inter Milan’s 2-0 win sets the stage for what’s sure to be an epic second leg at San Siro Stadium on Tuesday. AC Milan needs to at least make up two goals to force extra time. Doing that will be difficult given they have failed to score a goal against Inter Milan in three consecutive games, all resulting in shutout losses.
Conclusion
Most experts expected better performances from Real Madrid and AC Milan at their home stadiums in the first leg. Both teams must find answers on the road to advance to the Champions League final. AC Milan and Inter Milan conclude their semifinals Tuesday, with Manchester City and Real Madrid playing their winner-take-all game on Wednesday. The Champions League final is set to begin on June 10.
