MADRID (AP) — Atlético Madrid and Arsenal begin play champions league In Wednesday’s semi-final series, both clubs will aim to advance to the finals for the first time in a long time and win their first championship.
Atlético last reached the semi-finals in 2016, when they reached the final but lost to city rivals Real Madrid. Arsenal last reached the final in 2006, losing to Barcelona.
“This is a big goal and something the club has never achieved before,” Atlético manager Diego Simeone said on Tuesday. “But this is a football game and ultimately it’s the players who decide the game.”
It wouldn’t be strange if Simeone wasn’t there. Striker Ademola Lookmanmissed the final two games due to muscle issues.
Kai Havertz has been excluded from Arsenal. The Germany international was substituted in the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League win over Newcastle on Saturday due to a muscular injury. Julian Timber will also not play in Wednesday’s game.
Arsenal lost to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in last year’s semi-finals.
PSG defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 at home in the first leg on Tuesday. Other semi-finals.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
