Aston Villa secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League final after completing a remarkable comeback.
This week saw the conclusion of the last two-legged ties of the European season, with the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League all coming to a close. After a chaotic week, here is a key statistic for each team involved.
**Arsenal overcome Atletico, PSG hold firm**
**10** – Bukayo Saka scored the only goal at the Emirates, allowing Arsenal to beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg and advance with a 2-1 aggregate victory. This means the Gunners return to a Champions League final two decades after their only previous appearance. In a match with very few clear chances, the north London side found the breakthrough just before half-time, enough to seal the tie. Arsenal remain unbeaten in the UCL this season, marking the tenth time they have avoided defeat at home in the competition.
**3** – Just like nine years ago, Atletico Madrid exit the UCL at the semi-final stage. Los Rojiblancos lost at Arsenal’s stadium for the second time this season, having also fallen in the group stage. With only two shots on target in 90 minutes, Diego Simeone’s men failed to create the chances they had at home the previous week. On both occasions this season when they failed to score, it was in north London. Atletico have been eliminated by a Premier League team for the third time in the last decade.
**17** – Bayern Munich played most of the second leg against Paris Saint-Germain trailing after an early goal from Ousmane Dembélé. Needing at least two goals, the Germans could not come back, as Harry Kane’s stoppage-time strike was not enough. The French side progressed with a 6-5 aggregate, marking Bayern’s second consecutive semi-final exit. Interestingly, Bayern drew with PSG for the first time after 17 direct meetings between these clubs in UEFA competitions.
**2** – PSG return to the Champions League final, advancing in a high-scoring tie. The French side managed to contain Bayern in the second leg, creating several chances to extend their lead. Ultimately, Dembélé’s solitary goal was enough. The reward is their fifth European final and third in the Champions League. They now have the chance to become the first team in a decade to retain the UCL title. For PSG, it is the second time they have reached a continental final in consecutive seasons, having played two consecutive UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup finals in the 1990s.
**Freiburg and Villa stage comebacks**
**25** – What a rise for Freiburg! The Bundesliga club had to overturn a first-leg deficit against Sporting Braga at home. After the Portuguese side were reduced to 10 men in the 10th minute, the hosts took advantage of their numerical superiority. With three goals, they withstood Braga’s late push, which saw them score at the end to make it 3-1 on the night. On aggregate, Freiburg won 4-3 and advanced to their first European final. They are one step away from their first ever title. They have had no trouble scoring in the UEL this season, tallying 25 goals.
**6** – A hard blow for Braga, who reached further in the Europa League than they have since the 2010-11 final. They arrived at the second leg knowing that if they kept a clean sheet, they would be in Istanbul. However, Mario Dorgeles’ red card in the sixth minute proved decisive. Playing 84 minutes with 10 men condemned them. They hope to return to the UEL next season, a competition in which they feel comfortable. Meanwhile, Os Arcebispos lament their sixth defeat against a German opponent.