Champions League semi-finals: Key stats and what to look out for in the first legs

History beckons for holders Paris and a number of their players but they will have to overcome a troubling streak against Bayern, while Atleti's impressive record against English sides will be seriously tested by an Arsenal team that beat them convincingly in the league phase.

Check out the key statistics from both semi-final first legs.

Both kick-off times are 9pm (CET).

Tuesday

Paris v Bayern

Paris and Bayern are used to mouth-watering ties, having progressed past Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively in the last eight, and this one can be added to the list. With 38 goals each in the competition this season – the most of any clubs – it is hard not to get excited about this opener in the French capital.

To reach a second consecutive final, Paris must overcome the side who have given them the most trouble in recent seasons – Bayern's 2-1 victory on Matchday 4 made it five straight wins for the German champions against the Champions League holders.

However, Paris can point to a similar situation to last season in response. Luis Enrique's side were beaten 2-0 at Arsenal on Matchday 2 in 2024/25 but moved through the gears in the knockout phase and overcame the Gunners 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

There are potentially intriguing head-to-heads all over the pitch including Marquinhos, who will equal Roberto Carlos' Brazilian record of 120 appearances in the Champions League, coming up against Harry Kane, who has scored in his last five outings in the competition and has a career-high 12 Champions League goals this season already. Just one of many fascinating duels this tie will throw up.

Luis Enrique, Paris coach said: "Every coach wants to approach the run-in in the best possible conditions. Right now, we are in the semi-finals and all the players are available, apart from Quentin Ndjantou. The magic of the Champions League gives special energy to the players. Everyone wants to be there and makes the most of it."

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris winger added: "I remember that match (the league phase defeat), we didn't play as well as them but there were also injuries. In the second half, we showed that we were capable of anything and of beating them but we didn't score the goals we needed."

Vincent Kompany, Bayern coach stated: "Paris in the Champions League, the defending champions, it's probably the toughest challenge. I don't want to stop here. Now come the decisive weeks. We're looking forward to them, but we also know how difficult it will be. Our belief is there, and that's worth a lot in football."

Joshua Kimmich, Bayern midfielder concluded: "We're through to the final four with two wins (against Real Madrid). And I believe the best teams in Europe are now set to meet in the semi-final."

• This is the 16th Uefa meeting between Paris and Bayern, all in the Champions League, with Bayern holding a 9-6 advantage and winning the last five, including this season’s 2-1 success in Paris on Matchday 4. In their three knockout ties, Bayern prevailed in the 2020 final (1-0) and the 2022/23 round of 16 (3-0 agg), while Paris advanced in the 2020/21 quarter-finals on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

• Paris have won only three of their last 11 Uefa matches against German teams (D2 L6).

• Paris are facing German opposition in a Champions League semi-final for the third time, having beaten Leipzig 3-0 in a single-leg tie in 2019/20 before losing 2-0 on aggregate to Dortmund in 2023/24.

• The capital club have reached the semi-finals for a third consecutive season – something no French club has ever achieved in either the European Cup or Champions League era. They have appeared in five Champions League semi-finals previously, winning two and losing three.

• A Paris victory would be their 100th in the Champions League proper, making them the first French club to reach the milestone; their first win in the competition was a 2-0 home success against Bayern in the 1994/95 group stage.

• An appearance for Marquinhos would be his 120th in the Champions League proper, equalling the Brazilian record currently held by Roberto Carlos.

• Nuno Mendes (23 years and 313 days) could become the youngest Portuguese player to reach 50 Champions League proper appearances, breaking the record of Cristiano Ronaldo (24 years and 83 days).

• Bayern have won 14 of their last 16 Uefa matches against French opposition (L2) and have also won six of their last seven away from home in these fixtures (L1).

• Bayern have won five of their seven previous Uefa two-legged ties against French opposition and have also won all three of their single-leg knockout meetings with French sides, including their only prior Champions League semi-final against a French club – a 3-0 victory over Lyon in 2019/20.

• The Bavarian outfit are through to their 22nd European Cup/Champions League semi-final, having won 11 of their previous 21 at this stage. They have won only one of their last six Champions League semi-final ties — the 3-0 single leg victory over Lyon in 2019/20 — meaning they have lost their last five two-legged semi-finals in the competition.

• Harry Kane has recorded his best Champions League goalscoring tally with 12 in the 2025/26 campaign, beating the 11 he scored in 2024/25. His total is also the highest ever by an English player in a single edition of the competition proper.

• Harry Kane has scored in five successive appearances in the Champions League proper for the first time in his career. The only other English player to do this was Steven Gerrard in the 2007/08 campaign.

Wednesday

Atleti v Arsenal

Atleti have won 11 of their 15 previous Uefa two-legged ties against English teams, including all three semi-finals but an Arsenal side that convincingly beat them 4-0 in the league phase represents their toughest test yet against the finest the Premier League has to offer.

This opener offers a fascinating duel between two sides playing football they have not always been synonymous with down the years. Atleti have been a potent force in attack with 34 goals in this season's competition – the most they have ever struck in a European Cup or Champions League campaign. Arsenal, meanwhile, has been miserly in defence, conceding a mere five goals in their 12 matches.

Their semi-finals were opposites too. Atleti's classic with Barcelona was a rollercoaster affair, Diego Simeone's men peaking with a 2-0 first-leg victory before dipping to a 2-0 deficit in the return only for Ademola Lookman to settle their nerves and, eventually, the tie. Arsenal, by contrast, ground out a 1-0 win at Sporting CP courtesy of Kai Havertz's late winner in Lisbon and their defence held firm in the goalless London return.

The unstoppable force meets the immovable object – which will be stronger for two clubs still hunting that elusive first Champions League crown?

Diego Simeone, Atleti coach said: "We're heading into the semi-finals with all our enthusiasm and all our faith. We know our strengths and our weaknesses. We have great confidence in what we do, we're ready and we're going to go after what we've been chasing for many years."

Antoine Griezmann, Atleti forward stated: "It doesn't matter who we face as long as we're still in it. It's been a great and tough tie (against Barcelona) against a fantastic team that plays very well. It was a struggle but we're still in it."

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach said: "It's a massive moment (to reach consecutive semi-finals). It's the first time in our history, in 140 years – to be part of those four teams is something very special. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work."

Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal forward added: "We believe in ourselves, we know the quality we have. We won against them in the league phase but it's going to be a completely different game."

Declan Rice, Arsenal midfielder commented: "We played Atleti once this year and it was a really good game, we know what to expect. Bring on these last couple of weeks."

• This is only the fourth Uefa meeting between Atleti and Arsenal, following Atleti’s 2-1 aggregate win in the 2017/18 Europa League semi-finals (1-1 in London, 1-0 in Madrid) and Arsenal’s 4-0 home victory on Matchday 3 of this season’s Champions League.

• Atleti have won only two of their last 12 Uefa matches against English teams (D2 L8) but have lost only two of their 18 previous against them in Madrid (W9 D7).

• Atleti have won 11 of their 15 previous Uefa two-legged ties against English teams, including all three semi-finals: Against Liverpool in the 2009/10 Europa League, Chelsea in the 2013/14 Champions League, and Arsenal in the 2017/18 Europa League.

• The Spanish side are through to their seventh European Cup/Champions League semi-final, having won three and lost three of their previous six. Their last was in 2016/17, when they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid, with their last success at this stage in 2015/16 when they beat Bayern on away goals.

• Atleti’s tally of 34 goals this season is their highest ever in a European Cup/Champions League campaign (all rounds). Their previous best was 26 goals in 2013/14.

• Arsenal have won their last seven Champions League matches against Spanish opposition, most recently the 4-0 home victory over Atleti on Matchday 3. They are the first team in European Cup/Champions League history to win seven consecutive matches against Spanish sides. They have also won their last four Champions League away matches against Spanish teams.

• The Gunners have won five and lost four of their nine previous Champions League two-legged ties against Spanish opposition. This is their second semi-final in the competition against a Spanish club, having beaten Villarreal 1-0 on aggregate in 2005/06.

• Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second consecutive season – a first in their history – and this is their fourth semi-final overall, having beaten Villarreal in 2005/06 before losing their last two at this stage, against Manchester United in 2008/09 and Paris last season.

• The London outfit remain the only unbeaten team in this season’s Champions League (W10 D2). Going back further, they have lost only two of their last 22 matches in the competition (W17 D3).

• Arsenal have lost only one of their last 11 Champions League away matches (W9 D1).