By Ewan Murray
The first legs of the 2023/24 Champions League semi-finals were typically entertaining.
This season's competition has been particularly enthralling, especially in the knockout stages, and a place in the showpiece event at Wembley Stadium on 1 June is up for grabs this midweek.
Both last-four duels are finely poised ahead of the second legs, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid playing out an end-to-end 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena last week and Borussia Dortmund edging an exciting 1-0 affair with Paris Saint-Germain.
With so much on the line, here are four key battles that could prove decisive in the Champions League this week.
Nuno Mendes vs Jadon Sancho
Nuno Mendes had an evening to forget at Signal Iduna Park during last Wednesday's first leg. The Portuguese was offered very little defensive support from his attacking teammates as he was continually torn to shreds by the quick feet and dazzling dribbling of Jadon Sancho.
The on-loan Borussia Dortmund forward was at his electric best against PSG, much to the frustration of Manchester United supporters, and was relentless in driving at Mendes down the right-hand side. He was willing to cut inside on his weaker left foot and sprint towards the byline, repeatedly bamboozling the punch-drunk full-back.
It will be interesting to see whether Luis Enrique has concocted any special plan to deny Sancho this Tuesday, but Mendes will have to be far more stern against the winger this time around. If he isn't, PSG could be facing a semi-final exit.
Kylian Mbappe vs Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels rolled back the years with an effortless centre-back display against PSG in Dortmund, tasked with battling the cream of the crop in Kylian Mbappe. Despite the Frenchman's obvious advantages in such a duel - pace, acceleration, youth - the veteran defender was not left fooled.
Enrique may opt to use a more traditional number nine against Dortmund for the second leg, with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos both good options, but even if that is the case, Mbappe will still get chances to run at Hummels playing in an inside forward position off the left flank.
The forward is rarely denied twice and still managed to crash the inside of the post during the first leg, with Hummels having to maintain his standards in Paris this Tuesday.
Vinicius Junior vs Matthijs de Ligt
Vinicius Junior scored both Real Madrid goals at the Allianz Arena last Tuesday and the Brazilian left Bayern defender Kim Min-jae with a bloody nose in Munich. The South Korean delivered an uncharacteristic performance, repeatedly being too tight to Vinicius and getting rolled far too easily for the first goal.
As a result, Kim may well find himself back on the bench against Real in Madrid, with the previously injured Matthijs de Ligt perhaps returning to the side. The Dutchman has the speed and strength to match Vinicius but will be thrown into the deep end having not played a full match in a little under three weeks.
Vinicius has so often proven the man for the big occasion, even scoring a Champions League-winning goal in the 2022 final, and Bayern will have to be on high alert to stop the 23-year-old.
Eduardo Camavinga vs Jamal Musiala
Bayern simply can't afford to sit back and soak up pressure when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu. Thomas Tuchel's side will have to pick their moments of course, primarily operating on the counter-attack, but it's important that they pose their own attacking threat.
That's where Jamal Musiala comes in for the German side, with the fleet-footed attacking midfielder someone capable of carrying the ball up the pitch - even starting from the left wing. Preventing him finding space and bringing the ball forward will be key for Real and it may well be Eduardo Camavinga tasked with stopping the youngster.
The French midfielder was used as a substitute in the first leg but may be handed a start in Madrid, especially if Aurelien Tchouameni features at centre-back. The energetic midfielder will have to keep close tabs on Musiala, with his speed, physicality and good ball-winning skills making him an ideal opponent for the German when he drifts centrally.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as 4 key battles that will decide the Champions League semi-final second legs.
