Yellow alert: Real Madrid, Bayern, Arsenal and Sporting players at risk of semi-final ban

The race to the Champions League semifinals has already begun to reshape itself – and so has the yellow-card landscape. After two of the quarterfinal second legs were played, the list of players at risk has shifted, with suspensions now confirmed and others wiped clean.

PSG and Atlético see bookings cleared

Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the semifinals with a 2-0 win at Anfield, completing a dominant 4-0 aggregate victory over Liverpool. The English side saw both Ibrahima Konaté and Alexis Mac Allister booked on the night, but with elimination, those cautions are now irrelevant in the tournament. PSG, meanwhile, advance with their remaining players freed from yellow-card danger heading into the next round.

At the Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid edged Barcelona 2-1 on the night to progress 3-2 on aggregate, in a match that had only positive disciplinary consequences for the victors. While Gavi (yellow) and Eric García (red) would have impacted on Barça, their elimination renders it moot for this campaign. Atlético’s progression brings relief as all the players that had been walking a tightrope see their yellow cards wiped clean ahead of the semifinals. Key figures such as Marcos Llorente and Robin Le Normand can now approach the next round without the looming threat of suspension.

The focus now shifts to the remaining quarterfinal ties, where the danger remains acute. Real Madrid still have six players at risk of suspension, including Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, should they complete a comeback against Bayern Munich. This guy is going to be watching with interest, and a beer. Bayern have four, Arsenal two and Sporting just the one.

Players walking UCL tightrope

Atlético Madrid: Almada, Baena, Barrios, Lenglet, Le Normand, Llorente, Ruggeri, Giuliano Simeone (now cleared after qualification)

PSG: Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes (now cleared after qualification)

Arsenal: Nørgaard, Zubimendi

Sporting: Luis Suárez

Bayern Munich: Laimer, Neuer, Tah, Upamecano

Real Madrid: Bellingham, Carreras, Huijsen, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior.

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