Official UEFA Champions League Podcast

Some of the world’s best footballers put on a spectacular show on Wednesday night as the semi-final line-up for this season’s UEFA Champions League was confirmed. 
  
In Germany, Bayern and Real Madrid played out an all-time Champions League classic, both displaying the strength of their attacking talent in a second leg where the momentum shifted with breathtaking regularity. After five goals in the first 45 minutes left the tie level on aggregate at half-time, it was Luis Díaz and Michael Olise who had the final say - both scoring late in the second half to send Bayern through to the last four with a 4-3 win on the night and a 6-4 aggregate victory. We hear from UEFA Player of the Match Michael Olise on the podcast.

Meanwhile in London, defences were on top as Arsenal and Sporting played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw, with the Gunners progressing courtesy of their 1-0 first leg win. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice shares his thoughts after the match.

We review all the action and preview the semi-final contests as the battle for European club football’s biggest prize continues nears an exciting conclusion.

It was a tense Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League as this season’s first two semi-finalists were confirmed.   
At Anfield, Liverpool set out to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit and did all but score in an impressive display against the defending champions. Ultimately though, Paris progressed, scoring two late counterattack goals through Ousmane Dembele, to win 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. We hear from Paris goalkeeper Matvéi Safónov and the Liverpool manager Arne Slot. 
Meanwhile in Madrid, Atleti and Barça played out a pulsating end-to-end encounter with Atleti eventually squeezing past their Spanish rivals 3-2 on aggregate. Barça started in style, scoring twice within the first 25 minutes, with clinical strikes from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, to level the tie at 2-2. However, Atleti responded with an Ademola Lookman goal to make it 1-2 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate - and Diego Simeone’s side hung on for a famous quarter-final victory.  
We analyse all of the action and look ahead to Wednesday night’s two quarter-final second legs, both of which are fascinatingly poised.

The quarter-final first legs concluded on Wednesday with two statement 2-0 wins.
At the Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain powered past Liverpool, thanks to Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia strikes in either half. It was an ominous display from the defending champions who could have scored more, but as it stands Liverpool are still alive in the tie ahead of next week’s second leg at Anfield. We hear from the Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, and captain, Virgil van Dijk.   
Meanwhile in the all-Spanish last-eight affair, ten-man Barcelona were beaten 2-0 at home by Atleti, courtesy of strikes from Julián Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth – we hear from the Norwegian striker. Barça had their chances but ultimately Pau Cubarsí’s sending-off at the end of the first half proved costly and the Catalans now have it all to do in next Tuesday’s second leg in Madrid.

The quarter-finals kicked off on Tuesday with two fascinating first leg ties. 
It was a UEFA Champions League classic in Madrid, with Bayern overcoming the 15-time champions, 2-1, in what was a pulsating end-to-end knockout stage encounter. Goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane put Bayern in control but a 74th-minute Kylian Mbappé strike has given Real Madrid hope going into next week’s second leg in Munich.  
In the night’s other last eight match-up, Arsenal left it late to edge Sporting CP 1-0 in Lisbon, Kai Havertz netting an added-time winner to put the Gunners in control ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg in north London. We hear from their satisfied manager, Mikel Arteta.   
We discuss all the action as well as look ahead to Wednesday’s mouth-watering quarter-final first legs, with Atleti travelling to neighbours Barcelona and defending champions Paris welcoming six-time winners Liverpool to the Parc des Princes - Barca coach Hansi Flick and Paris boss Luis Enrique share their thoughts.

The round of 16 ties ended in style with 23 goals across Wednesday’s four matches as Barcelona, Bayern, Liverpool and Atleti emphatically secured their spots in the last eight. 
Barca started the goal spree in the early kick-off, scoring seven against Newcastle at Camp Nou to run out 7-2 winners on the night and 8-3 victors on aggregate. It was a scintillating performance from Hansi Flick’s side with the front three of Raphinha, Yamal and Lewandowski all on the scoresheet – we hear from the Polish striker after he became the oldest player to score in a UEFA Champions League knockout match. 
At Anfield, Liverpool recovered from a 1-0 first leg deficit to storm to a 4-0 home win over Galatasaray to progress 4-1 on aggregate and set up another knockout match-up with Paris Saint-Germain. We get the thoughts of their manager Arne Slot and striker Hugo Ekitike. 
In Munich, Bayern ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Atalanta to go through 10-2 on aggregate. Harry Kane bagged another two goals and the UEFA Player of the Match shared his thoughts afterwards. Bayern’s reward is a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Real Madrid. 
In the night’s other round of 16 second leg tie, Spurs overcame Atleti 3-2 in North London but the Spaniards progressed 7-5 on aggregate after their clinical first leg performance. Diego Simeone’s side now face La Liga rivals Barcelona in a fascinating last eight encounter.