UEFA Champions League:
Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (5-1 on aggregate)
Manchester City are heading to their second-ever UEFA Champions League Final after a sensational second-leg display. Erling Haaland had a good chance for Manchester City in the 12th minute, but his effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois. Like his goal against Everton, his header actually wasn’t very good. However, Haaland’s second header was much better and it forced Courtois to pull off a world-class save to keep the game at 0-0. In the 23rd minute, Manchester City were able to take the lead through a really smart finish by Bernardo Silva. Toni Kroos then smashed the crossbar for Real Madrid before Bernardo Silva headed home to put Manchester City in control of the tie. In the second half, Erling Haaland had another good chance, but he was once again denied by Thibaut Courtois as the Madrid goalkeeper saved the ball onto the bar. In the 76th minute, Manuel Akanji’s headed effort deflected off Eder Militao and went into the back of the net to give Manchester City a commanding lead. In the 91st minute, Julian Alvarez got himself a goal to wrap up one of Manchester City’s greatest-ever performances. Overall, what a fantastic day for Manchester City and they now need to make sure they finish the job off in Istanbul. City host Chelsea on the weekend knowing they can win the Premier League with a victory. As for Real Madrid, this was a really bad game for them. Madrid play away to Valencia next time out as their season winds down.
Inter Milan 1-0 A.C. Milan (3-0 on aggregate)
Inter Milan pulled off another defensive masterclass to reach this year’s UEFA Champions League Final. Brahim Diaz had a really good chance for A.C. Milan after a brilliant run by Sandro Tonali, but his effort tamely went into the keeper's hands. Rafael Leao got his first moment of the game in the 37th minute, but after a brilliant solo run, his effort went just wide off the post. Lautaro Martinez then came close to putting Inter in front on the night, but Mike Maignan pulled off a really good reaction stop. In the 74th minute, Lautaro Martinez did find the back of the net to seal Inter Milan a place in the UEFA Champions League Final. Maignan will be disappointed with his goalkeeping because he should’ve kept Martinez’s effort out. Overall, this was a terrific result for Inter Milan. They play away to Serie A Champions Napoli on the weekend and they will look to finish this historic run-off with a trophy on June 10th. As for A.C. Milan, they’ll be really disappointed with their performances over the two legs. Milan host Sampdoria next time out as they look to try and close in on a Champions League place for next season.
UEFA Europa League:
Sevilla 2-1 Juventus (3-2 on aggregate)
Sevilla turned it around to once again make it to another UEFA Europa League Final. Moise Kean came close to putting Juventus in front early on, but Yassine Bounou got enough on the ball to knock it onto the post. In the 65th minute, Dusan Vlahovic (who’d only just come on) finished brilliantly to put Juventus in front. Sevilla were able to level the game however just 6 minutes later as Suso scored with a thunderous strike. In extra time minute, Erik Lamela headed home well after a nice ball from Bryan Gil to put Sevilla in front. Incredibly, Marcos Acuna then got himself a second yellow card for time-wasting! Overall, Sevilla won’t care too much as they’re going back to the Europa League Final. Sevilla host Real Betis on the weekend as they look to try and qualify for Europe through the league. As for Juventus, a club this size shouldn’t even be in the Europa League so them failing to make the final is massively disappointing. Juve play away to Empoli in their next game as they look to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Roma (0-1 on aggregate)
A.S. Roma kept Bayer Leverkusen out to reach their second consecutive European Final. Moussa Diaby created a decent opportunity for himself and his effort smashed off of the woodwork. In the second half, Kerem Demirbay forced Rui Patricio to make a simple save. Sardar Azmoun had a good chance for Leverkusen with 10 minutes left to play, but his effort went wide of the goal. In the end, Bayer Leverkusen will be super disappointed to be eliminated at this late stage of the competition. Leverkusen host Borussia Monchengladbach on the weekend as they look to ensure their spot in Europe for next season. As for A.S. Roma, it’s another European Final appearance for them under Jose Mourinho. Roma host Salernitana next time out and they’ll be looking to take some momentum into the final.
UEFA Europa Conference League:
FC Basel 1-3 Fiorentina (3-4 on aggregate)
Fiorentina scored in the 129th minute to break FC Basel’s hearts. Nicolas Gonzalez scored with a bullet header in the 35th minute to put Fiorentina ahead on the night and level the aggregate score at 2-2. In the 55th minute, Basel equalised through a brilliant bit of play by Zeki Amdouni. In the 72nd minute, Fiorentina were back in front as Nico Gonzalez got his second goal of the evening. And then, in the 129th minute, Antonin Barak scored to take the air out of St. Jakob-Park. In the end, it’s heart-breaking for FC Basel, but they have to be proud of their European journey. Basel host Lugano on Saturday as they fight to even make it into Europe. As for Fiorentina, they’ll be delighted that they’ve made it to the UEFA Europa Conference League Final. Fiorentina play away to Torino next time out as they look close out their league season in positive fashion.
AZ Alkmaar 0-1 West Ham (1-3 on aggregate)
It was a special night for everyone involved with West Ham United as they reached the UEFA Europa Conference League Final. Lucas Paqueta nearly put West Ham ahead after 24 minutes, but his curling effort hit the outside of the post and went behind for a goal kick. Late on in the game, Naif Aguerd had a good opportunity to wrap up the tie for West Ham, but he poorly dragged his effort wide. And then, in the 94th minute, Pablo Fornals scored a brilliant solo goal to seal a spot in the Europa Conference League Final for West Ham United. In the end, AZ Alkmaar will be disappointed with themselves for not creating good enough chances. AZ play away to NEC Nijmegen next time out as they look to secure a spot in Europe for next season. As for West Ham, what a brilliant night for them! The Hammers host Leeds United on Sunday and I bet they cannot wait for the Final.
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