68th UEFA Champions League 2023: 2nd Leg-Quarter Finals Held; Semi Finalists Are …
Overview
The return matches of Leg – 2 did not hold any shocks. Leg – 1 had given an indication of what to expect, and it happened the way it was predicted. Two Italian, one Spanish, and one English team have qualified for the semifinals. High-voltage contests are likely to be witnessed in those matches.
The Semifinals Schedule
9th May – 1st leg; 16th May 2nd leg
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Inter vs Milan
Quarterfinals – 2023
This year’s first leg of the quarterfinals was played on the 11th and 12th of April and given comprehensive coverage at Allsportspk. Three teams from Italy, two from England, and one each from Germany, Portugal, and Spain made up the contestants. The second leg was played on the 17th and 18th of April.
1st Quarterfinals – 17 April: Milan (Italy) 1 – 1 Napoli (Italy)
Current Serie A leaders Napoli were kept in check by visiting Milan in this match involving both the Italian teams. Though Napoli had more possession (74%) and had more shots at the goal, they could not convert their attempts into goals as Milan goalkeeper Maignan once again made brilliant saves. Napoli could not make a comeback as Milan won 2 – 1 on aggregate and advanced to the semifinals after 17 years.
2nd Quarterfinal – 17 April: Real Madrid (Spain) 2 – 0 Chelsea (England)
Real proved that they are not only difficult to beat at their home ground but they can play equally well elsewhere too. With more possession and shots at the goal, the Spanish visitors went ahead through a brace by Rodrygo. It was sufficient to take them to the semifinals with an aggregate scoreline of 4 – 0.
3rd Quarterfinal – 18 April: Inter (Italy) 3 – 3 Benfica (Portugal)
The tie was played at Milan, Italy on the 18th of April. Though the visitors from Portugal put up a spirited display, overturning the loss in the 1st Leg proved too difficult a task for them. With only 40% possession, Inter took their chances. Once again, like in the first leg match at Lisbon, Barella scored for Inter in the 14th minute. Benfica responded in the 38th minute with an Aursness goal. Inter kept up their diligent efforts and went ahead in the 65th and 78th minutes. Benfica’s responded late but managed to level the score. The visitors responded late to force a draw in the match but Milan won 5 – 3 on aggregate.
4th Quarterfinal – 18 April: Manchester City (England) 3 – 0 Bayern Munich (Germany)
Played in Munich, Germany, this did not come out as a clash of the giants. The current Premier League champions had taught a football lesson to current Bundesliga champions through one of their best displays in recent times in the first leg. Though City went ahead in the 57th minute once again through a Haaland goal, the match was on almost an equal keel as the home side responded with a penalty goal in the 83rd minute. Manchester City won 4- 1 on aggregate and advanced to the semifinals.
68th UEFA Champions League 2023: 1st Leg-Quarter Finals | 4 Teams Qualify For Semi’s
The first leg of the quarterfinals for the 68th edition of the UEFA Champions League was played with three teams from Italy, two from England, and one each from Germany, Portugal, and Spain who made up the contestants.
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The second leg will be played as under:
19th April: Napoli Vs. Milan (Naples, Italy) – Chelsea Vs. Real Madrid (London, England)
20th April: Inter Vs. Benfica (Milan, Italy) – Bayern Munich Vs. Manchester City (Munich, Germany)
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1st Quarterfinal: Inter (Italy) 2 – 0 Benfica (Portugal)
Played on 11th April in Lisbon, Portugal, Benfica’s loss to Inter was a surprise not only for this being Benfica’s home ground with familiar conditions and supporting crowds but for the reason because Benfica was the form team and performing very well in their previous matches. They had 56% possession, had more shots on the target, and overall played better football. Inter were in a lackluster phase before coming for the tie with more losses and draws to their credit than wins and mostly played less impressive games than their rivals. However, they took their chances and went ahead in the 51st minute through a Barella goal. The match was sealed in the 82nd minute when substitute Lukaku scored from a penalty kick. Benfica will have to play really good football in the away game if they want a place in the semifinals.
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2nd Quarterfinal: Manchester City (England) 3 – 0 Bayern Munich (Germany)
Played in Manchester, England on 11th April, this tie was a clash of the giants and was slated to be the toughest match of the quarterfinals. However, the current Premier League champions taught a football lesson to current Bundesliga champions through one of their best displays in recent times. Though City went ahead in the 27th minute through a Rodri goal, the match was on almost an equal keel when in a short span of time, City took advantage of Bayern’s lapses. Goals from Bernardo Silva in the 70th minute and Champion League’s current top scorer Haaland sent Bayern packing and searching for answers. They will have to mount a huge effort to beat City, who look all but assured to find a spot in the semifinals.
3rd Quarterfinal: Real Madrid (Spain) 2 – 0 Chelsea (England)
Played on 12th April, Real are always difficult to beat at their home ground and when current Ballon D’or winner Karim Benzema put them ahead in the 21st minute, Chelsea could not respond in the desired manner. Losing Chilwell in the 59th minute on a red card also did not help their cause and a goal by substitute Asensio in the 74th minute sealed the tie for the current holders of the Champion League trophy. It also proved a setback for interim Chelsea coach Frank Lampard who lost both his first games at domestic and international levels. Barring a serious debacle, Real can be confident of their chances of reaching the last four.
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4th Quarterfinals: Milan (Italy) 1 – 0 Napoli (Italy)
Current Serie A leaders Napoli were given a rude shock on 12th April by host Milan in this match involving both the Italian teams. Though Napoli had more possession and more shots at the goal, they could not convert their attempts into goals as Milan goalkeeper Maignan made 5 brilliant saves. Bennacer scored for Milan in the 40th minute. Napoli’s woes increased when they lost midfielder Anguissa in the 74th minute through a red card. Napoli can still make a comeback in the return tie at their home ground but they will have to play to their potential.
About The League
UEFA Champions League is widely considered to be the most prestigious club championship in the world. It is the Champions League is a top-tier competition of European football clubs. Played under the auspices of UEFA-Union of the European Football Association, the tournament is played annually. The current season is the 68th edition of this premier championship, and the 31st season since it was named ‘The UEFA Champions League’ from the previously called ‘European Champion Clubs Cup’. Through a well-devised system of qualifying rounds of top-tier teams of member countries, the group stage is reached which includes 32 teams. 16 teams qualify for the knockout stage and the final is played between top two teams winning their quarter and semifinals. The only final is a one-off affair played at a neutral venue, the rest of the matches are two-legged contests – home and away. The winner gets automatic entry into next season’s group stage and qualifies to contest the UEFA Super Cup. This year’s final will be played in Istanbul on 10th June 23.
