Inter Milan 3-3 Benfica (5-3 on aggregate)
Inter Milan managed to get over the line against Benfica in a really entertaining second leg. Nicolo Barella fired Inter Milan in front after 14 minutes with a great strike before Lautaro Martinez put the ball into the back of the net in the 32nd minute. However, it was ruled out as Martinez clearly nudged the defender. In the 38th minute, Fredrik Aursnes headed home to give Benfica a little bit of hope. Lautaro Martinez then got his goal in the 65th minute before Joaquin Correa scored a great goal to definitely send Inter Milan into the Semi Finals of this year’s UEFA Champions League. After a terrible pass by Marcelo Brozovic, David Neres had a great opportunity to score, but his effort hit the post and came out. However, Benfica were able to get one back as Antonio Silva scored a header to make it 5-2 on aggregate. Benfica then decided that they definitely weren’t going to lose both ties as Petar Musa scored in the 95th minute to give Benfica something to smile about. Overall, it’s still a good day for Inter Milan as they advance to the Semi Final stage. Inter’s next game is away to Empoli and they’ll meet their local rivals A.C. Milan in the Semi Final. As for Benfica, they’ll be disappointed to get knocked out as this tie represented a really great opportunity for them. Benfica host Estoril next time out as they try to end the season as champions.
Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (0-4 on aggregate)
Real Madrid matched their result from the Bernabeu as Chelsea suffered their 4th loss since Frank Lampard’s return (this was his 4th game in charge). N’Golo Kante had a great chance for Chelsea after 10 minutes, but he poorly scuffed his effort wide of the target. Rodrygo’s effort then hit the post for Real Madrid before Vinicius Junior missed a really good chance to put Real in front with less than 5 minutes to go in the first half. In additional time at the end of the first half, Marc Cucurella had a good opportunity for Chelsea, but he wasn’t able to take it as he was denied by Thibaut Courtois. In the 58th minute, Madrid took the lead through Rodrygo. In the 80th minute, Real Madrid had their second goal of the night and so did Rodrygo who scored a tap in after a brilliant bit of play from Federico Valverde. In the end, it’s another disappointing day for Chelsea as they crash out of the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid for the second successive season. Chelsea host Brentford next time out as they just wait for the season to end. As for Real Madrid, it’s yet another comfortable Champions League tie for them. Madrid host Celta Vigo in their next game and they play Manchester City in the Semi Final of this competition.
Bayern Munich 1-1 Manchester City (1-4 on aggregate)
Manchester City’s winning run may have ended, but they’re still heading to UEFA Champions League Semi Final stage for the second consecutive season. The first big chance of the night came to Leroy Sane and the former Manchester City man guided his effort wide of the post. Sane really should’ve scored here. Dayot Upamecano was then sent off for fouling Erling Haaland, but the decision was quickly changed as Haaland was offside. Man City were then given a penalty after it was deemed that Upamecano used his arm to block Ilkay Gundogan’s shot and after a long delay, Erling Haaland shockingly blasted the ball over the bar to keep the aggregate score at 3-0. In the second half, Haaland had another good chance that he didn’t take, but after a slip by Dayot Upamecano, Erling did score in the 57th minute to give City the lead on the night and a 4-0 lead on aggregate. Mathys Tel thought he’d got one back for Bayern in the 75th minute, but his goal was rightly ruled out for offside. Bayern Munich were then awarded a penalty which was just ridiculous before Joshua Kimmich scored to give the Bayern crowd something to celebrate. Thomas Tuchel then got himself sent off which just shows that he hasn’t changed from his days at both PSG and Chelsea. In the end, it’s a disappointing result for Bayern Munich as they would’ve wanted to have won this competition. Bayern go to Mainz next time out as they look to end the year as Bundesliga Champions. As for Manchester City, they’ll be annoyed that they didn’t win on the night, but it’s still a very successful two legs. City’s next game is against Sheffield United at Wembley and they face Real Madrid in the Semi Final of this competition looking to get revenge.
Napoli 1-1 A.C. Milan (1-2 on aggregate)
A.C. Milan got the job done in Naples to continue their incredible run. Napoli had a few decent chances that they didn’t take in the first 20 minutes and this cost them as A.C. Milan were awarded a penalty after Mario Rui went completely through Rafael Leao. However, Olivier Giroud stepped up and saw his penalty get saved by Alex Meret. In the 43rd minute, Leao did a brilliant run which resulted in him assisting Giroud who made it 1-0 to Milan. Victor Osimhen did put the ball in the back of the net in additional time, but his goal was ruled out as the ball struck his arm in the build-up. Straight away in the second half, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a great chance for Napoli, but he blasted the ball over the bar. He then had another good chance and he again blasted the ball over before Mathias Olivera poorly headed the ball wide when he probably should have scored. However, Napoli were awarded a penalty which Kvaratskhelia took and Mike Maignan saved to keep Milan in front. In the 93rd minute, Napoli finally got their goal as Victor Osimhen scored with a nice header. In the end, Napoli will definitely regard this competition as a missed opportunity this season. Napoli go to Juventus next time out as they look to win their first league title in over 30 years. As for A.C. Milan, they can be really proud of their efforts as they reach the final 4 of this year’s UEFA Champions League. Milan host Lecce on Sunday and they’ll play big rivals Inter Milan for a place in the final in a few week's time.
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