The Champions League is entering the home stretch. The semi-finals begin next week, and the match-ups promise a spectacle: Arsenal faces Paris Saint-Germain, and FC Barcelona takes on Inter Milan. From a Swiss perspective, it is particularly exciting: Inter's goal is guarded by national team legend Yann Sommer.
A look back at the quarter-finals
Arsenal provided the biggest surprise. The London side beat defending champions Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg and also won the return leg in Madrid. Unforgettable were the two direct free-kick goals from Declan Rice in the first leg - two shots that curled perfectly over the wall and into the net.
Inter prevailed after two tight matches against Bayern Munich. Barcelona had a comfortable cushion after a 4-0 first-leg win against Dortmund, and PSG had to endure a nervous return leg against Aston Villa but still advanced.
Arsenal v PSG
Two young, offensive teams, both of which have never won the title before. Arsenal is strong on set-pieces and very stable defensively. Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG has developed into a team that presses high and transitions at lightning speed. The first leg will take place in London.
Barcelona v Inter
Barcelona thrills with attacking football and players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski. Inter, by contrast, is one of the best-organised teams in Europe, defending patiently and countering clinically. For Yann Sommer, it will be a challenge: Barcelona is among the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition.
Yann Sommer: calmness as a strength
Yann Sommer is unforgettable for many Swiss fans, not least because of his penalty save against Kylian Mbappé at the 2021 European Championships. At Inter, he is a crucial pillar of support. His greatest strength is his composure: he is often in the right position before the shot even comes, and he radiates security to his teammates in front of him.
What strikers learn from such games
Against goalkeepers at this level, an average shot is not enough. Goals in the Champions League are usually scored from shots that are precisely placed, low in the corners, or taken first-time before the goalkeeper can set themselves. Rice’s free-kicks show how important a clean strike is: he hit the ball perfectly so that it rose over the wall and dropped back down just in time.
- Placement over power: A shot into the corner is more dangerous than a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper.
- Shoot quickly: Every extra touch gives the goalkeeper time.
- Keep calm: The best strikers do not shoot frantically, but in a controlled manner.
Training with a stationary ball
Free-kicks and volleys have one thing in common: the point of contact determines the trajectory. Anyone wanting to work specifically on this feel should perform many repetitions under identical conditions. With the VOLLEYCHAMP®, this is particularly easy for volleys, as the ball is always at the same height, allowing you to focus entirely on the point of contact and your ankle.
The final in Munich
The final will take place on 31 May at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Whether we see a final with Swiss involvement will be decided over the next two weeks. In any case, we are keeping our fingers crossed for Yann Sommer.
Swiss players in European competition
Yann Sommer is not the only Swiss player to have played a role in this Champions League season. Several national team players are regulars at top European clubs and are gaining valuable experience at the highest level. For the national team, this is a major gain, especially with an eye on the World Cup qualifiers beginning in the autumn.
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