Ever wondered: What are the Champions League Semi-Finals? This post answers everything! We’ll break down the format, the teams fighting for glory this year (2023-2024), and when you can catch the action unfold. Get ready for a deep dive into the pivotal matches that decide who goes on to become Champions League champions! ⚽️
UEFA Champions League history
The Champions League of UEFA is an annual multinational club association football tournament organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and strongly contested amongst the top-division European clubs. It is a tournament watched by fans in every corner of the world, the second-most-watched football tournament worldwide.
The race started in 1955 and was called the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens, since then the competition has continued and is now widespread to have many competitors from some countries. El moment inicial de la Champions League viene acompañada por una fecha, tres rondas de clasificación, y una ronda de playoff a mediados de junio. Of the 32 participants, 8 groups with four participants were formed and played each other in double round-robin systems. The recently held knockout phase is now in the final with the championship match to be held in late May or early June.
Besides, the team that succeeds to win the UEFA Champions League qualifies to take part in the other UEFA competitions as well as the FIFA Club World Cup. Real Madrid are undoubtedly the most successful club that has ever played in the Champions League, with an amazing 14-time victory being added to the list of their trophy cabinet. Manchester City have just been crowned champions of the Europa League, having edged Inter Milan 1- 0 in the final this year, thus winning their maiden trophy.
What are the Champions League Semi-Finals?
The UEFA Champions League Semi-Final is the final phase of the competition, featuring the four remaining teams from the two divisions. The process involves a group stage and a quarter-final win for each team to advance to the semi-finals. Matchups are drawn after the quarter-finals, and the last team standing can play any of the remaining 31 teams.
The semi-finals are played at home, and the team with the better aggregate score advances to the finals. The aggregate score is the total of goals scored in both legs of the game. If a team wins, there is no extra time after the second game, and penalty shootouts are the most common and reliable method of settling a game resulting in a winner. The Champions League semi-final is the tensest and closest outcome, with the top teams looking for Champions League victors.
How is the UCL semi-final decided?
The UCL (UEFA Champions League) semi-finals are decided differently than the opposing matchups:
Matchups:
- The matchups for the semi-finals are determined during the quarter-final draw. There’s no separate draw for the semis.
- In the quarter-final draw, all eight teams go into one pot. They draw opponents, and the order they are drawn determines which team plays at home for the first leg.
Who advances:
- Unlike the matchups, the winner of each semi-final is decided based on the aggregate score across two legs.
- Each team plays one leg at home and one away.
- The team with the most goals after both legs combined advances to the final.
- If the aggregate score is level after both legs, extra time and then penalties (if needed) decide the winner.
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What is the format for the Champions League semi-finals?
As part of the Champions League Maturation semi-final, the legislation includes a double-headed game. There is a league where each team plays one game where both teams host each other. In this example, it might be implied the draw pairing of opponents, whereas the slot decides whether the home team gets the field advantage. FIFA World Cup only replay allowed. The following team which has more aggregate scores in the end get declared winner and an extra half-hour play on the field is done after the second leg if the total goals from the initiation game and the second leg games have equal scores. If, after extra time, the score is still even, the penalty shootout becomes the venue to distinguish between the narrow.
To summarize and add to it, the slot of the teams will be drawn in the semi-finals, but the team that is displayed in the first spot will be the home team, and after it will be the way in the next spot. The teams whose scores are more accumulated between both legs aim to qualify for the next round; while the extra time and penalty shootout is able to decide it by itself if considered necessary.
When are the Champions League Semi-Finals Played?
The Champions League Semi-Finals for 2023-2024 were played on April 30th and May 1st for the first legs and will be played on May 7th and 8th for the second legs.
Which club has reached the most semi-finals in the Champions League?
As you already know, Real Madrid holds the record for most appearances in the Champions League semi-finals with an impressive 33 times.
Which team has played most UCL semi-finals?
Real Madrid have played in most UCL semi-finals, with a staggering 33 appearances including both the pre-Champions League era (European Cup) and the Champions League era that began in 1992. Their dominance in reaching the latter stages of the competition is truly remarkable.
Who won the most Champions League?
Real Madrid have won the most Champions League titles, with a total of 14 victories as of today, April 28, 2024. Their impressive record includes dominating the early years of the competition, then known as the European Cup, and recent triumphs that solidify their position as the most successful club in Champions League history.
Who’s in this year’s Champions League Semi-Finals This Year (2023-2024)?
The Champions League semi-finals for 2023-2024 are:
- Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain
- Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
The matchups were determined during the quarter-final draw in March 2024.