European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC have booked their places in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after decisive performances in their respective quarter-final ties.
The quickest strike in this season’s Champions League, seven goals, two red cards and the competition’s 15-time winners exiting in anger – once again the knockout stages of European club football’s elite contest has delivered drama in spades.
“If the start of this game is anything to go by then we are in for a hell of a night,” said former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports after Real Madrid struck 35 seconds into Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg at Bayern Munich to level the tie at 2-2.
The German champions held a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Madrid, but Arda Guler’s lightning-fast 25-yard strike following a mistake by home keeper Manuel Neuer set the tone for a breathless return at the Allianz Arena.
It was the fastest goal in this season’s competition and followed by four more in a frenetic, fabulous first-half.
A chaotic finale settled the outcome in Bayern’s favour as Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for Real with four minutes left and Vincent Kompany’s men scored twice late to progress to the semi-finals with a 4-3 win on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.
Unsavoury events came after the final whistle too as Real vented their anger over Camavinga’s controversial dismissal – the second yellow card for time-wasting – as the substituted Guler was shown a straight red card on the sidelines for confronting referee Slavko Vincic.
“The story of the night is the last five minutes,” said former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman. “What a game and what an evening.”
For Arteta, it won’t matter that his side are not producing free-flowing football – the Gunners just want to get over the line and lift a trophy this season.
They are having to produce results without a number of key players, who are injured. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were unavailable to play against Sporting.
Declan Rice did play, despite being unwell.
And now there is fresh concern for the top of the table clash with Manchester City on Sunday, as winger Noni Madueke limped off with a knee injury.
When Arteta was asked if he sees the physical strain on his players at the moment, he said: “Yes, but when I see them track back when we lose the ball, the habits that they have, it’s just amazing.
“There is a reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you and it’s very difficult to do what we’ve done.
“We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that’s for sure, we recognise that. But there’s value in what these players have done because they deserve it.”
