N. Kesminas: essentially, "Barcelona" is a children's team.

2025-05-09 17:05 © scanpix

Football analyst Nerijus Kesminas shared his impressions about this week's UEFA Champions League semifinal matches.

"Last night and today all day - it's the same. Everyone around is discussing the UEFA Champions League, and two out of three who express an opinion claim that the final was played in the semifinals. Allegedly, 'Inter' played it with 'Barca.'

In reality, nothing of the sort. No, you can think and talk like that, but there's one detail: what if the trophy - which, to be honest, is quite likely - is won by PSG? Supposedly, the real final will have been played by two teams, and the champion will be a third, does that make sense? It just doesn't add up, agree.

In many cases, the supporters of the pre-final theory are those who cherish the dark blue and maroon color combination. But then those who say they never walk alone can equally claim that the true final happened even earlier - in the round of 16, when 'Paris St. Germain' knocked out the factually unstoppable 'Liverpool' this season.

But all this reflects the desire of the losers to find at least some consolation. The real Champions League final, as planned, will take place on May 31 in Munich. And PSG and 'Inter' will be there because it completely aligns with the logic of this season's tournament events.

The arguments to support this claim are simple. The Paris team sent 'Liverpool' to the locker room. The Milan 'nerazzurri' did the same with 'Barcelona.' That's it, end of discussion.

Did PSG catch the future English champions at the peak of their season's form? And you can't choose these things - it happened just like that.

Did 'Barca' make childish tactical mistakes in a match they had essentially won in the semifinals? And here logic doesn't clash: essentially, they are a children's team.

The youthful slips of the Catalan club playing wonderful football only show that this season's Champions League is just not their time. Their time will likely come very soon.

It is often said about knockout rounds: if you want to win, you have to win against everyone. This time, 'St. Germain' and 'Inter' won against everyone. They won very consistently following their path.

Therefore, the real final has not yet been played. It will take place on Bavarian soil on the last day of spring.

And some playful intuition whispers that the final will not only be real. It will, among other things, also be devilishly good: different football philosophies, different playing styles, knowing how to win on both fronts, and a situation where everything is at stake. It will be fun, you’ll see,” wrote N. Kesminas.