How We Got Here: The Road to the Semifinals

Real Madrid’s path to the last four has been anything but smooth. After finishing second in their group behind Bayer Leverkusen, Los Blancos were drawn against Napoli in the Round of 16. A 2-1 aggregate win set up a quarterfinal clash with Manchester City, where they trailed 3-1 after the first leg at the Etihad Stadium. But in a performance that will be remembered for years, Real Madrid stormed back at the Santiago Bernabéu, winning 3-0 in regular time before Jude Bellingham’s extra-time header sealed a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have been the most consistent team in this year’s competition. The German champions topped their group ahead of Barcelona and advanced past Benfica in the Round of 16 before facing Arsenal in the quarterfinals. After a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium, Bayern won 3-1 at home to secure their place in the semifinals for the first time since 2023.

PSG and Dortmund have taken more unconventional routes. PSG, led by Kylian Mbappé, needed a late equalizer from Vitinha to draw 1-1 with Barcelona in the second leg of their quarterfinal before winning on penalties. Dortmund, the underdogs of the final four, eliminated Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16 before stunning Juventus 3-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.

The Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich Rematch: What to Watch

The first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu (Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. CEST / 7:00 p.m. UTC) is more than just a semifinal—it’s a chance for Bayern Munich to avenge their heartbreak in last year’s final. Here are the key storylines to watch:

1. Vinícius Jr. Vs. Bayern’s Defense

Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger has been the most dangerous player in this year’s Champions League, with 8 goals and 4 assists in 10 appearances. His dribbling and creativity will test Bayern’s backline, particularly right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who struggled against Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka in the quarterfinals. If Vinícius is at his best, Real Madrid will be nearly unstoppable.

2. Harry Kane’s Return to Madrid

The English striker spent 14 years at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Bayern Munich in 2023, and he’ll be making his first competitive return to the Spanish capital since leaving England. Kane has scored 7 goals in this year’s Champions League, including a brace against Arsenal in the quarterfinals. His link-up play with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané will be crucial for Bayern’s chances.

“It’s a special game for me,” Kane said in a pre-match press conference. “I have a lot of respect for Real Madrid, but we’re here to win. The final last year was tough, but What we have is a new opportunity.”

3. Carlo Ancelotti’s Tactical Masterclass

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has won the Champions League four times—more than any other coach in history. His ability to adapt mid-game has been on full display this season, particularly in the comeback against Manchester City. Against Bayern, expect Ancelotti to apply a 4-3-3 formation with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga providing cover for the defense while Bellingham pushes forward.

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League title, will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 system with Musiala in the attacking midfield role. “We grasp Real Madrid are the best team in Europe, but we have a plan,” Tuchel said. “We need to be brave and take our chances.”

4. The Midfield Battle: Kroos vs. Goretzka

At 36 years old, Toni Kroos is playing some of the best soccer of his career. The German midfielder has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s success, dictating play with his passing and vision. He’ll face off against his former Bayern Munich teammate Leon Goretzka, who has been a key figure in Bayern’s midfield this season. The winner of this individual battle could decide the tie.

5. Set-Piece Threats

Both teams are lethal from set pieces. Real Madrid’s David Alaba, a former Bayern player, has scored twice from free kicks this season, while Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich is one of the best dead-ball specialists in the world. With the margins so tight, a single set-piece goal could be the difference.

PSG vs. Dortmund: Mbappé’s Homecoming and the Underdog Story

The second semifinal pits Paris Saint-Germain against Borussia Dortmund (Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. CEST / 7:00 p.m. UTC at Parc des Princes), a matchup that carries extra significance for one player: Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, will return to Paris for the first time since leaving PSG. The French forward scored 256 goals in 306 appearances for the club and led them to their first-ever Champions League final in 2020. His reception at Parc des Princes is expected to be mixed—some fans will cheer him, while others may boo after his highly publicized departure.

“I have nothing but respect for PSG and the fans,” Mbappé said. “This is a special club for me, and I’m looking forward to returning. But I’m here to win with Real Madrid.”

Dortmund, meanwhile, are the clear underdogs. The German side have reached the semifinals for the first time since 2013, when they lost to Bayern Munich. Led by manager Edin Terzić, Dortmund have relied on a mix of young talent (like 19-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko) and experienced campaigners (such as Marco Reus, in what could be his final Champions League run).

PSG, despite their star power, have struggled to find consistency in Europe. Mbappé’s departure left a void that Luis Enrique has tried to fill with a more balanced attack, but the team has lacked the clinical edge of previous years. If Dortmund can frustrate PSG’s midfield and capitalize on counterattacks, they could pull off a major upset.

Key Numbers and Records on the Line

• Real Madrid’s European Dominance: Los Blancos have won the Champions League 14 times, more than any other club. A win in this semifinal would position them one step closer to a record-extending 15th title.
• Bayern’s Home Advantage in the Second Leg: Bayern Munich have won 11 of their last 12 home games in the Champions League knockout stages. The second leg at the Allianz Arena (May 7, 9:00 p.m. CEST / 7:00 p.m. UTC) could be decisive.
• Kane’s Scoring Drought in Spain: Harry Kane has never scored in a competitive match in Spain. A goal in Madrid would end that streak and boost Bayern’s chances.
• Mbappé’s Return: Kylian Mbappé has scored 32 goals in 41 Champions League appearances for PSG. He’ll be looking to add to that tally in his final appearance at Parc des Princes.
• Dortmund’s European Pedigree: Borussia Dortmund have reached the Champions League final twice (1997 and 2013) but have never won the competition. A semifinal victory would be their best result in over a decade.

What’s Next: The Path to the Final

The Champions League semifinals follow a two-legged format, with the first legs this week and the second legs next week. Here’s the full schedule:

The winners of each semifinal will advance to the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich on June 7, 2026. The final will be the last major European club match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Canada, Mexico, and the United States on June 11.

How to Follow the Action

Fans around the world can watch the Champions League semifinals through the following broadcasters:

• United States: CBS Sports (Paramount+), Univision (TUDN)
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports
• Spain: Movistar Plus+
• Germany: Amazon Prime Video, DAZN
• France: Canal+, RMC Sport
• Global: UEFA.tv (highlights and live streaming in select regions)

For real-time updates, follow the official UEFA Champions League accounts on Twitter and Instagram, as well as the clubs’ official social media channels.

Key Takeaways

• Rematch of the 2024 Final: Real Madrid and Bayern Munich face off in a semifinal that doubles as a rematch of last year’s final, won by Real Madrid.
• Vinícius Jr. Vs. Harry Kane: The two stars will be the focal points of their teams’ attacks, with Vinícius looking to exploit Bayern’s defense and Kane aiming to end his scoring drought in Spain.
• Mbappé’s Return: Kylian Mbappé will play at Parc des Princes for the first time since leaving PSG for Real Madrid in 2024, adding an emotional layer to the PSG vs. Dortmund matchup.
• Underdog Story: Borussia Dortmund have a chance to reach their first Champions League final since 2013, but they’ll need to overcome a PSG side that, despite their struggles, remains one of Europe’s most talented teams.
• Set-Piece Threats: Both semifinals could be decided by set pieces, with players like David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich capable of delivering decisive goals from dead-ball situations.
• Next Stop: Munich: The final will be held at the Allianz Arena on June 7, just four days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.