What players are suspended for Champions League semifinals 2023/24?

The Champions League came to life in the quarterfinals, providing us with goals a plenty across the two legs – it was actually an all-time record for net bulging – and now we look forward to the semifinals. Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich and PSG vs Borussia Dortmund are the double headers lined up for us, and now we know for sure if any players will miss out on the first leg due to suspensions for the accumulation of yellow cards.

When are yellow cards wiped in the Champions League?

First, let’s clarify the rules. In the UEFA Champions League, a unique regulation comes into play once the quarterfinals wrap up: yellow cards are wiped clean. This measure was introduced in the 2014/2015 season to prevent a recurrence of situations like the one experienced by former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso in the 2014 Lisbon final, where accumulated yellow cards led to players missing the pinnacle of the tournament.

Thus, during the quarter-final matches, yellow cards still hold consequences. Any player collecting three yellow cards faces an automatic one-game suspension in the competition. After serving this initial suspension, further disciplinary action occurs when the player accumulates an odd number of bookings (five, seven, etc.).

For instance, if a player receives their third (or fifth, seventh, and so forth) yellow card during the second leg of the quarter-finals and their team advances, they’ll sit out the first leg of the semifinals. However, the slate is wiped clean before the semifinals, erasing all accumulated yellow cards for every player. This reset ensures that no player misses out on the final due to card accumulation.

Which players will miss the Champions League semifinal?

As the quarterfinal second legs ended, we had confirmation of those that would now miss the semifinal first leg. Everyone else can now rest easy knowing that their past indiscretions have been wiped.

No PSG or Dortmund players suspended

On Tuesday night, PSG knocked out Barcelona to progress and their at-risk players – Ousmane Dembélé, Lucas Hernández, Milan Škriniar, Manuel Ugarte, Vitinho – all avoided being carded. As Dortmund overcame Atlético Madrid to join the French giants, they too saw the slate wiped clean.

Carvajal suspended for Real Madrid

Wednesday saw Bayern beat Arsenal with Leon Goretzka and Sasha Boye on the tightrope, but both escaped unpunished. Alphonso Davies had missed the quarterfinal second leg but will be back, fitness permitting for the Real Madrid clash.

Talking of the Spanish team, they held on until penalties to knock out the favourites, Man City. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr. were all one booking away from missing out, and only Carvajal saw yellow on the night. Carlo Ancelotti will, however, have Aurélien Tchouaméni back after he was suspended for the Etihad win..