The ongoing 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign has been a thrilling ride, and with the semifinals just around the corner, expect the excitement to continue. This year’s continental campaign was under plenty of scrutiny before a ball was even kicked, thanks to its new-look format and revamped and expanded initial league phase. But fast forward to the final four, and it’s evident that Europe’s greatest club competition remains as exhilarating as ever.
This year’s final will be hosted at Munich’s stunning Allianz Arena on May 31st, the site of Chelsea’s maiden triumph against hometown heroes Bayern 13 years ago. This time around, neither of those two has made it to the latter stages, and online Bitcoin betting sites have two clear frontrunners that they think could lift the trophy in Bavaria. They are, of course, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, with websites such as the popular Thunderpick Bitcoin betting site pricing both at 2/1.
With the action set to come to a close within the next month, let’s take a look at the highlights of the season so far.
Wild Night Of Comebacks on Matchday Seven
As mentioned, the revamped league phase drew plenty of critics heading into the ongoing campaign, but no one can deny that the changes provided far more excitement than the ousted eight groups of four. That excitement was on full display on the penultimate matchday of the first round, when a series of wild comebacks had supporters on the edge of their seats.
The first of them came in Madrid when an Atletico side in dire need of a positive result found themselves a goal and a man down at halftime against reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen. Die Werkself were one of the most feared teams in Europe at the time following their exploits last season. But despite the numerical disadvantage, Diego Simeone’s men wouldn’t be deterred.
Former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez managed to bag a shock equalizer on the hour mark, breathing new life into Los Rojiblancos. Then, it looked as though the contest would end in a stalemate until Alvarez popped up again in the 90th minute to bag a last-gasp winner and send the Wanda Metropolitano into dreamland.
Another stunner was unfolding in Lisbon. Barcelona trailed Benfica by three goals to one after half-an-hour, and that lead was 4-2 in the 68th minute. Then, the Blaugrana rallied, netting three times, including a bizarre equalizer and a 96th-minute winner from captain Raphinha to secure their spot at the top of the table. Over in Paris, PSG also rallied from two goals down at home to Manchester City, netting four times in the final half an hour to seal a famous win and keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout round alive.
Atletico Eliminated in the Cruelest Fashion Possible
Atletico Madrid have only known pain when facing their arch-cross-city rivals, Real, on the continental stage. Between 2014 and 2017, the two Spanish capital giants met for four consecutive Champions League seasons, with Los Blancos coming out on top on each occasion. Throughout that time frame, the two also met in two finals, with each one ending more painfully than the last.
In 2014, Real Madrid netted a 94th-minute equalizer before winning in extra time. Two years later, the Royal outfit won on penalties.
This season, the two met in European football’s greatest competition for the first time in eight years, and predictably, the game would have a brutal ending for Atleti. After the two-legged tie finished 2-2 on aggregate, the contest went to a penalty shootout. There, striker Julian Alvarez would controversially have his penalty ruled out by VAR due to the most minor double kick known to man, allowing Real to progress and extending their record against their rivals in the Champions League to a perfect 5-0.
Arsenal Resoundingly Eliminate Real Madrid
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid would pay for that good fortune. In the quarter-finals, they met an Arsenal team that had long been starved of success both continentally and domestically. While Real Madrid had won a whopping six Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, and two Spanish Cups across the last 11 years, The Gunners had just two FA Cups to their name and had made it past the UCL round of 16 just once.
As such, the Spaniards were huge favorites to progress, especially considering Arsenal’s injury woes that left them without strikers Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, as well as rock-solid central defender Gabriel Magalhães. The return of winger Bukayo Saka, however, had bolstered hopes in North London, but it wasn’t the talented 23-year-old who took center stage. In the first leg, that honor went to compatriot Declan Rice.
The central midfielder rifled home not one but two stunning free kicks to help Arsenal to an amazing 3-0 victory at the Emirates. In the return fixture in Madrid, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was preaching about how 90 minutes is a long time in the Bernabeu. But despite supporters dreaming of yet another Remontada, it was the Gunners who stole the show. Saka missed a penalty in the first half, but he made up for that by scoring a delicious chip in the second, before fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli broke away in injury time to secure a famous 2-1 victory on the night and a lop-sided 5-1 win on aggregate.
Now, Arsenal stand on the brink of their first final since 2006, with PSG the only thing standing between them and a date with destiny in Munich. For Los Blancos, they stand on the brink of their first trophyless season since 2021.
