Paris St Germain edged a chaotic Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, which produced nine first-leg goals at the Parc des Princes.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele each scored twice in PSG’s extraordinary 5-4 victory, leaving Atletico Madrid and Arsenal a lot to live up to in Wednesday’s second semi-final.
Elsewhere, it was a sad day for Manchester City fans as it was announced that John Stones’ decade-long stay at the Etihad Stadium is to conclude at the end of the season.
PSG win thriller despite Bayern fightback
In a Champions League game for the ages, PSG and Bayern served up a nine-goal classic that will live long in the memory.
The two top-scoring sides in the competition this season produced a fitting contest for those who suggested they should have been meeting in the Budapest final next month.
Harry Kane’s 54th goal of the campaign put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot, but PSG led 2-1 and 3-2 with Kvaratskhelia and Dembele adorning some wondrous attacking play with clinical finishing for a 5-2 lead.
Quickfire goals from Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz put the tie back in the balance for the Bavaria return. More again next week, please.
Arteta draws up Arsenal battle plan
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told his players to deliver a statement victory in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal are just two matches away from a first Champions League final in 20 years in their quest to make history, having never previously won Europe’s grandest tournament.
The Gunners fell at the semi-final stage last season following an underwhelming 1-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in their opening leg at the Emirates Stadium. A 2-1 defeat in Paris followed as they crashed out.
Arteta said: “This is the stage that we want to be and we have earned it through incredible work, passion and quality in the last nine months. Now is the moment to make a statement and show how good we are, how much we want it, and make it happen.”
FIFA approve ‘Vinicius Law’
Players who cover their mouths when confronting an opponent will be sent off at this summer’s World Cup.
FIFA proposed toughening the sanctions after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior claimed he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth while talking to the Brazilian during a Champions League match in February.
Vinicius was visibly upset following the comment and immediately informed the referee, with play halted for 10 minutes in line with UEFA regulations.
Any similar incident at this summer’s World Cup will now result in a red card, after the rules were strengthened by unanimous agreement at a meeting of the game’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Stones set for Man City exit
John Stones’ trophy-laden spell at Manchester City is to come to an end.
The 31-year-old will depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract, a decade after joining the club and with 19 trophies won in the meantime.
“It’s been my home for the past 10 years, and it will be my home for the rest of my life,” Stones – who has made nearly 300 appearances for City – said in a video on Instagram.
“At the start of my career here I never thought I’d be in this position – firstly, to achieve everything, but to have the love, the bond, with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out the park.”
What’s on today?
Arsenal dominate the fixture list on Wednesday with big nights for both the Gunners’ men’s and women’s teams.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico, while Renee Slegers’ team host Leicester in the Women’s Super League aiming to get back into the top three.
