Winners and Losers From the 2025 UEFA Champions League Semifinals
The UEFA Champions League final is set: Paris Saint-Germain’s youngsters get a shot at history against Inter Milan in Munich, Germany on May 31.
Arsenal and Barcelona drop out after a dramatic couple of weeks that will live long in the memory, or nightmares, depending on your affiliation.
As ever, this week’s Winners and Losers are ready to go. Spoiler: they include Mikel Arteta.
Winner: Denzel Dumfries
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Just as an addition to that previous point: Denzel Dumfries had himself an excellent two games.
The Dutch full-back contributed to five of Inter's seven goals and kept timing his runs forward perfectly. It was almost unbelievable how much of the San Siro pitch he had to stride into on Tuesday night.
Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will have their work cut out for them in the final.
Loser: Barcelona's Defense
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Barcelona's high line was finally caught out in a meaningful way.
The Blaugrana have walked a tightrope this season and often skirted over their leakiness by being ruthless in attack. Trust an Italian side to show that defence is just as important.
Hansi Flick’s preparations for this second leg were significantly hindered by the news that Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde would miss the tie. Kounde, especially, adds a heft and reading of the game that bails Barca out when back-and-forths begin; a natural result of how the team plays.
The fact that both replacements contributed to goals while getting minced at the back is symbolic of where Barca are at. Eric Garcia's stunning finish provided life when they were two goals down. Gerard Martin's two assists gave them a platform for Raphinha to put the visitors ahead with a few minutes remaining.
The chaos was unbelievable to watch unfold, but it also finally caught up with Flick's team.
Much of this was obvious to anyone watching. Screen-shot any defensive action from the game and you'll likely see Inter full-backs flying into space, or a pathway for one well-executed pass to eliminate all four defenders. It was Ange Postecoglou to the max: immovable and ridiculous when the time called for tightening up.
It finally cost Barca. Attacks may win headlines, but more often than not, defences win trophies.
Winner: Anyone Who Watched Inter-Barca
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Whatever your feelings on the Champions League format changes, this season will be remembered for Inter and Barca putting on a classic across two thunderous legs.
An aggregate score of 7-6 matches the record for goals in a semi-final. Both teams threw caution to the wind to get on the scoresheet and were unwilling to let a moment pass without going for the jugular. Seven. Six.
Just think: Barca came back from two goals down twice, scored to go ahead with three minutes left on the clock and then lost. Amazing. Both teams deserve to be applauded.
Loser: Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal aren’t winning a trophy this season. Liverpool won a trophy. Manchester City and Chelsea can both win trophies. Even one of Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur can win a trophy, despite being absolutely shocking.
Many thought this would be Arsenal's year in the Premier League due to City's mid-season collapse. The perennial second-placers are finally stepping up, many thought, but it didn't happen.
Many were encouraged by the ease with which they dispatched Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. It didn't happen there, either.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta will now come under a ton of pressure. He's certainly been unlucky with injuries, but having no striker alternative to Kai Havertz is an issue many have shouted about for a long time now.
Arsenal got into good crossing positions against PSG and relied on Declan Rice or Mikel Merino to fill the space in the middle. There's no need for the club to be so bereft of strikers when it's got an overload of defenders in the squad.
To make things worse, Arsenal's play style has become far less pleasing on the eye. Passes aren't flowing like they did a couple of years ago. Physicality is emphasised too much and the reliance on set-pieces is a difficult tag to shake.
It's an all-around poor situation when it didn't need to be that way.
Winner: Gianluigi Donnarumma
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I have doubted Gianluigi Donnarumma many times in his career. There have been instances where he's lost games. He's looked in two minds from crosses and his shot-stopping ability has sometimes fallen short.
But he was absolutely brilliant against Arsenal.
Three huge saves in the second leg alone gave PSG breathing space in difficult moments. His reaction stop from Martin Odegaard's howitzer kept a lid on the second leg when things threatened to get interesting. Arsenal scored, sure, but it could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for the giant Italian.
Donnarumma deserves recognition for his role in this PSG team.
