AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf has backed Arsenal to still win the Champions League, despite Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain putting on a thriller on Tuesday night.
The two favourites to lift the title battled it out in a game of undeniable attacking quality, but lacking defensive solidarity as the defending champions ultimately took a 5-4 lead from the match.
But both sides looked disappointed at full-time, having leaked goals that saw the game end with the most goals ever scored in a semi-final leg of the competition.
And that, according to Seedorf, is what gives the Gunners the edge. Mikel Arteta’s side, who will take on Atletico Madrid in the second semi-final on Thursday, have become known for their defensive prowess, which will, according to the former midfielder, work in their favour.
‘Ask the goalkeepers if they are happy,’ Seedorf said on Prime Video after Tuesday night’s clash. ‘The clean sheet was always sacred for goalkeepers. We have seen teams like Arsenal making a difference with so many clean sheets and coming all the way.
‘If I have to point out one team now that would be capable to bring it home because of their capacity, it is actually Arsenal.’
Clarence Seedorf has backed Arsenal to win the Champions League despite PSG’s thrilling win over Bayern Munich
Seedorf (right) pointed to the Gunners’ defensive strength as the reason why they can claim the crown
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, was in agreement. The former forward was left astounded by some of the defending on show, despite the attacking skill from the players involved.
‘I just don’t see how, as a player or a coach, you could go into the dressing room conceding four or five goals and be happy,’ he said. ‘I just don’t see it.
‘There has to be questions asked. The defenders have to ask questions of forwards, why they aren’t helping them.
‘Some of the goals we have seen are school boy goals. At this level, we have seen some brilliance, but we have seen some immature defending, which is crazy.
‘I loved to play in a game like that, but I pride myself on defending too, so I would be upset we conceded so many goals.’
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the competition, which has helped lead them to the semi-finals.
Manager Arteta said ahead of the game: ‘I don’t take it for granted because a very short time ago, this club had seven years without Champions League. So, in that very short period of time, what we have achieved is remarkable.
‘We know the difficulty of it, we know how much we worked for this, so enjoy it, take the opportunity, embrace it, because it’s very tough to be here.
‘Every opponent and in every context, whether it’s the stadium, the opponent, the manner that they play, have differences. There are things that obviously have to be highlighted, whether it’s their strengths or their weaknesses as well, and especially against (Atletico) there are moments in games and we have to manage that so well to be successful and win the game.’
