Both PSG and RB Leipzig find themselves in the semi-finals after impressive quarter-final performances: Champions League quarter-final Match reports

 

Champions League Quarter-Final Match-ups: PSG vs Atalanta

A night of frustration for PSG as their efforts throughout the game were only conciliated in the dying minutes of the match as man of the match, Neymar JR, showed his class with his attacking threat, being one of the main reason why PSG got their semi-final place. The game started with both teams matching intensity, creating chances and opening up their opposing team’s defences with ease; within the first 25 minutes, Atalanta showed their free flowing football that had been on show all season in the  Serie A, as they managed to find the back of the net in the 26^th minute as, Mario Pasalic, curls his effort into the top left hand corner of the PSG goal, putting Atalanta 1-0 up. A real shock for the PSG players, but a lead Atalanta would desperately need to hold onto if they were to have any chance of getting into the semis. Neymar proving he is one of the best in the world throughout first half with his dribbling and build up play, but he lacked the finishing touch on other days he normally has and couldn't level the game for PSG on multiple occasions. The first half ends 1-0 to Atalanta. 

PSG bossed the second half, with Neymar pulling the strings of the tired Atalanta defence, giving them no time to rest as he dribbled through them throughout the second half. The 60th minute saw young superstar, Kylian Mbappe, enter the field to help out Neymar in finding the goal which they so desperately needed to win the tie and get to the semi-finals. No goals for PSG going into the final 10 minutes which saw them step up into a higher gear. Mbappe making surging runs in behind, leaving the Atlanta defenders for dead with his pace, but still couldn’t find the back of the net. Until an unlikely culprit in Marquinhos, tapped home the vital goal PSG needed in the 89^th minute. Atalanta had held onto the lead for the majority of the game only for it to go to waste in the dying moments of the steaming hot match in Lisbon. It came from a chipped cross towards Neymar, who was standing on the left wing, which he miss volleyed from close quarters, which deflected into the defensive midfielders path, which he lunged at and tapped home.

Atalanta were exhausted after chasing the ball for the majority of the second half, and weren’t looking like creating another chance for themselves. The frightful thought of extra time was lingering in the players minds but it wasn’t needed due to Neymar placing an inch perfect pass in behind for Mbappe to chase, and once he got hold of the ball, he slid it across to substitute striker, Eric Choupo-Moting, to tap home winning the game for PSG who deserved it after an impressive display in the second half. PSG will play RB Leipzig for a chance to play in the Champions League final.  

RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid

RB Leipzig became the first team to beat Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in a knock out stage without having Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad. Leipzig had also recently sold their superstar striker, Timo Werner, to Chelsea over the summer; so without an out on out striker, and coming up against the team who beat lest year winners, Liverpool, to get their quarter-final spot, it is a big ask if Leipzig were to beat Madrid. No team took control of the game in the opening minutes, but Atletico seemed to be testing Leipzig's keeper more often, as winger Corrasco gets a near post shot from the left hand side on goal, which Péter Gulácsi had to make sure he saved as it was creeping in if he hadn’t. Leipzig’s best chances in the first half came from set pieces as centre back, Dayot Upamecano, could attack them, which forced Atletico’s keeper to make saves from the least threatening efforts on goal. No clear cut chances were created in the first half, but both teams were growing into the fixture, meaning the second half could be an exciting one.

The second half, and the 49^th minute saw RB Leipzig open the scoring through Dani Olmo, as some outstanding free flowing football broke down Atletico’s backline when the cross came in from the right hand side, which Olmo headed home to make Leipzig lead on the night. The game preceded to open up, and Simeone brought on youngster, João Félix, to change the game for Atletico. João Félix passes and receives the ball from veteran striker, Diego Costa, and finds himself in the penalty area ready to shoot, but is fumbled over by Lukas Klostermann, who concedes a yellow card, and a penalty. Félix smashes home the penalty with ice in his veins, drawing the game one a piece in the 71^st minute. Again RB Leipzig breakdown Atletico’s defence but this time down the left hand side with full back, Angeliño, who drills his pass into Adams, who has acres of space around him when he fires his shot from distance. It looks like a comfortable save for Oblak, but a deflection as the ball passes through the body of players in the area, sends the ball back across goal and into the back of Madrid’s net. Leipzig lead the match until it finishes after 7 minutes of added time. RB Leipzig win 2-1 taking them through to the semi-finals.