CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League Semi-Final Highlights: PSG Edge Arsenal In Tense First Leg At The Emirates

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made a bold statement in North London as they secured a gritty 1-0 win over Arsenal FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash. It was a disciplined and tactically sharp performance from the Ligue 1 champions, who now hold a slender advantage ahead of the second leg in Paris.

Key Match Highlights

⚽ Ousmane Dembélé Strikes Early

Back in the lineup after being dropped in the previous clash for disciplinary reasons, Ousmane Dembélé wasted no time announcing his return. The French winger found the net in just the 5th minute, converting a cut-back from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Although Dembélé’s strike was scuffed, it caught Aaron Ramsdale off guard and proved to be the difference.

Kvaratskhelia’s Electric Display

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a constant menace on the left flank, showcased his flair with a dazzling solo run that split through the Arsenal defense. Despite strong appeals, the Georgian was denied a penalty after going down in the box. Nonetheless, his creativity and pace set the tone for PSG’s early dominance.

Arsenal vs PSG- sportsmarketinternational.com

⚖ Arsenal Find Their Rhythm

After a shaky start, Arsenal FC began to gain traction midway through the first half. Midfielder Mikel Merino, playing in a box-to-box role, drove forward with purpose and tested PSG’s midfield structure. One of his penetrating runs ended with a contentious penalty shout, but Rúben Neves timed his tackle to perfection—confirmed upon VAR review.

VAR Drama Denies Arsenal Equalizer

The hosts came out stronger after the break. A hopeful cross met Merino in the air, and he powered a header past Gianluigi Donnarumma—only to have the goal disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check. Arsenal’s best chance of the night followed when Leandro Trossard unleashed a low drive, but Donnarumma got down swiftly to parry it wide.

PSG’s Late-Game Discipline

In the final 20 minutes, PSG shifted gears into containment mode. The visitors absorbed Arsenal’s pressure with composure and nearly doubled their lead on the counter. Bradley Barcola squandered a clear chance by dragging his shot wide, while Gonçalo Ramos rattled the crossbar with a late thunderous strike—serving Arsenal a final warning.

Final Score

Arsenal FC 0–1 Paris Saint-Germain
Emirates Stadium, London

What It Means

PSG now carry a narrow but crucial away win back to Paris, where they’ve been formidable all season.
This result marks PSG’s first-ever victory over Arsenal in European competition.
Arsenal FC, despite the defeat, remain firmly in the tie. A single goal in Paris could change everything.

Looking Ahead

The second leg at the Parc Des Princes is poised to be a tactical showdown. With a Champions League final berth at stake, Mikel Arteta will demand a sharper, more clinical performance from his side. On the other hand, Luis Enrique will look to manage the advantage while unleashing PSG’s fearsome attacking trio on the counter.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Plus 13 Others, Are Qualified for the 2025-26 UCL

Atalanta became the latest side to book their spot in the 2025-26 edition of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Roma in Serie A on Monday night, which means that La Dea are guaranteed to finish the league season in third place regardless of what happens in their final two games.

There will be four Serie A sides involved in the Champions League next season, down one from the bumper five-team line-up in 2024-25.

Napoli, Inter and Atalanta have already secured their places, while Juventus, Lazio, Roma, Bologna and Fiorentina all have a mathematical chance of claiming the final spot.

There two ‘extra’ Champions League spots will go to teams from the Premier League and LaLiga this season, meaning there will be five Spanish sides involved next season and six from England, given that they will also provide the Europa League winner, which will be either Manchester United or Tottenham.

Every team qualified for 2025-26 Champions League so far

Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta

England: Liverpool

Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid

Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen

France: PSG, Marseille, Monaco

Netherlands: Ajax, PSV

Czechia: Slavia Prague

Greece: Olympiacos

Who else could qualify for 2025-26 Champions League
With 16 teams already confirmed for next season’s Champions League, there are still 20 league phase slots up for grabs across the various European leagues.

29 of the 36 Champions League league phase positions will come from pre-determined nations. Below is the breakdown of guaranteed Champions League league phase places.

Six teams: Premier League (England)

Five teams: LaLiga (Spain)

Four teams: Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany)

Three teams: Ligue 1 (France)

Two teams: Eredivisie (Netherlands)

One team: Liga Portugal (Portugal), Pro League (Belgium), Super Lig (Turkey), First League (Czechia), Super League (Greece)

The remaining seven positions will be taken up by teams from the qualifying rounds, which will include the fourth-placed team in France, the third-placed team in the Netherlands, the second-placed teams from Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, Greece and Czechia, plus competitors from a total of 53 European nations, including the likes of Sweden, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Austria and Serbia.

Football-italia.net

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Romanian Referee To Handle PSG-Inter Champions League Final

Romanian Istvan Kovacs will be the main referee for the UEFA Champions League final between Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan, which will be played on May 31 in Munich.

The match will be Kovacs’ third European final in the last 4 years. The 40-year-old referee has previously officiated the UEFA Europa Conference League final in 2022 (the first edition of the competition), disputed between Roma and Feyenoord 1-0, and the UEFA Europa League final in 2024 between Atalanta and Leverkusen 3-0.

This season, Kovacs has refereed 7 other Champions League matches.

He will be assisted by linesmen Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi. The fourth official will be Bruno Alves Jesus from Portugal. In the VAR room will be Dennis Higler (Netherlands), Cătălin Popa, and Paulus von Boekel, according to FRF.

UEFA has also announced the referee teams for the other European competition finals. Felix Zwayer (Germany) will officiate the Europa League final, Tottenham – Manchester United (May 21), Ivana Martinčić (Croatia) will officiate the Women’s Champions League final, Arsenal – Barcelona (May 24), and Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina) has been appointed for the Conference League final, Chelsea – Real Betis (May 28). Additionally, this year’s Nations League final will be refereed by Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).

PSG secured their spot in the final after completing a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal, while Inter narrowly beat Barcelona for its place. The clash between the two established teams promises to offer much enjoyment to football fans.

Romania-insider.com

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Inter’s Record Revenue Boosted By Champions League Final Appearance

Inter have already earned almost €200m from this season’s Champions League, more than any other Serie A club ever, and will get €10.5m more if they win the trophy.

Inter will set a record revenue for 2024-25 after reaching the Champions League Final.

As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A giants have already received €133m in Champions League prize money and circa €60m from ticket sales for European matches in 2024-25.

The nearly €200m earned from Europe’s elite competition this season is the highest sum ever gained by a Serie A club and it’s practically twice as much as the Nerazzurri earned two years ago, when they reached the Champions League Final (€101m).

Considering Inter’s record €473m income for the 2023-24 campaign, this season’s Champions League has produced over 40% more than the total earnings from the previous campaign. According to Gazzetta, this will allow the club to end the season with a profit.

Furthermore, the Nerazzurri can add an extra €10.5m if they win the Champions League: €6.5m for lifting the trophy, plus €4m for participating in the European Supercup next summer.

Inter reach Champions League Final – what Marotta said
“An epic match, between two great teams, credit goes to the coach, the players, and our magnificent fans,” the Inter President said after a 4-3 win over Barcelona, via Sempreinter.

“We’re honoured to be playing in the final because we earned it.

“Inzaghi is at the heart of this model, supported by a club and ownership that’s always present, albeit silently.

“It’s a victory for everyone, but the main architect is undoubtedly the coach.

“This group has been together with the coach for four years. We are among Europe’s elite, and deservedly so, with determination.

“The greatest match of my career? For emotions and adrenaline, absolutely yes. A showcase for football around the world.”

Football-italia.net