The semifinals are ready. Now four clubs are dreaming of the final and the chance to lift the cup. Here are the details:
Derby Milanese a Dream Semifinal
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi described their road to the Champions League semifinals as a dream and said they will give everything they have against city rivals AC Milan as they bid to become the first Italian finalists in six years.
Inzaghi could not hide his excitement after his side drew 3-3 with Benfica in their second leg on Wednesday to win the quarterfinals 5-3 on aggregate, reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time since they won the trophy 13 years ago.
Inter won Europe's top club competition for the third time in 2010 and were the last Italian team to triumph, with Juventus losing the 2015 and 2017 finals. Expectations are at an all-time high to see an Italian club lift the cup again.
Manchester City Seeks Revenge
Bernardo Silva said Manchester City are looking to make amends for last season's semi-final defeat to Real Madrid when the two sides meet again in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, a result that saw them go through 4-1 on aggregate. That match means City have set up a rematch of one of last season's semifinals, a tie that the Spanish side won 6-5 on aggregate after a dramatic comeback in the second leg.
Pep Guardiola will first try to prepare his team for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Sheffield United before facing Arsenal in Manchester on April 26 in a crucial Premier League match. But he will also be planning for the semi-final against Real Madrid and praised his team for booking a place in the final four for the third successive season. Meanwhile, the table is set for an epic showdown between two powerhouses.
🏆⭐ Champions League 2002/2003
Milan reach the semifinals after defeating Ajax in the quarterfinals 3-2 at the San Siro following a 0-0 draw at the Johan Cruyff. Inter earns a hard-fought 2-2 aggregate draw against Valencia (1-0 in Milan and 2-1 at Mestalla) but the away goal gets them through. pic.twitter.com/PaL3VY8aff- AC Milan Club CDMX (@acmilan_cdmx) April 20, 2023
Chelsea will return
Frank Lampard vowed that Chelsea will "come back" as a major force after their exit from the Champions League quarter-finals leaves them facing the prospect of a season without European soccer.
The Blues were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge to complete a 4-0 aggregate defeat when Rodrygo scored twice in the last 32 minutes to seal their clash against Manchester City.
Chelsea have seven Premier League games remaining, starting with next Wednesday's home game against Brentford, but face an uphill task to reach Europe's third tier competition, the Europa Conference League, given that they currently sit in 11th place.
