If there has been a theme to the opening two matches of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, it is the theme of late drama. Both the Atalanta/Paris St. Germain match and the Red Bull Leipzig/Atletico Madrid match had goals after the 87th minute that changed the result. Both were great games for the neutral!
Paris St. Germain 2-1 Atalanta
Atalanta came into the match as underdogs to PSG, but as a result there was little to no pressure on them in this match and ALL of the pressure was on PSG. PSG are owned by the royal family of Qatar, and they have spent quite a lot of money on the squad in order to ensure European glory. PSG usually win the French league handily, but had not progressed so the semifinals of the CL since the 1990s. Manager Thomas Tuchel knew his job was potentially on the line if PSG did not advance.
Brazilian superstar forward Neymar had the first chance of the match and really should have scored on his breakaway run at the Atalanta defense. Neymar was in absolutely scintillating form throughout, but had a lot of problems finding the back of the net. It was Atalanta that broke the deadlock about half an hour in when Croatian midfielder Mario Palasic struck a curling effort into the top corner of Keylor Navas’s net. It was a surprise to be sure, given that PSG had squandered some good chances. Atalanta showed that while they may not have the all-world talent of PSG, they are solid tactically and know how to execute their game plan.
They held on despite wave after wave of PSG attacks, and my one criticism of Atalanta in the second half is that they did not attempt to play their passing game as much as they did in the first half. That was ultimately to their detriment. Once PSG brought on yet another superstar in French forward Kylian Mbappé the game seemed to change. Atalanta’s fatigue started to show and unfortunately conceded an equalizer via Brazilian midfielder Marquinhos. The massive relief of tension emanating from the PSG bench was palpable. They knew they had likely forced extra time, at the least.
PSG weren’t done though, and the Italian side’s hearts were broken in two when French winger Eric Choupa-Mouting tapped in from Mbappé’s cross. It was a very well-worked around the Atalanta penalty area and they couldn’t keep the ball out. The Parisian club was in ecstasy as the final whistle blew, especially their talismanic forward Neymar. PSG paid a world-record £200 million for Neymar and were expecting him to deliver today, and he really did. 16 dribbles completed for him was a CL record.
Red Bull Leipzig 2-1 Atletico Madrid
This match earlier today was somewhat more tepid in parts but still carried plenty of drama. Upstart German side Red Bull Leipzig took on CL veterans Atletico Madrid, and I expected a more defensive affair than the PSG match. Atletico manager Diego Simeone plays a very defensive style of football, and while it’s not the most fun to watch it has proven to be very effective in European tournaments. Meanwhile, Leipzig were trying to become the first non-Bayern and non-Dortmund German club to make the semifinals of the CL in a decade.
The first 45 minutes ended 0-0 with both sides having some good chances, but there was a slight edge to Atletico in my opinion. They had slightly more attacking intent when on the ball, with Leipzig stifled by the defense. Not a classic 45 minutes by any stretch.
The second half was a lot better though in terms of entertainment, with Spanish defender Dani Olmo giving the game a much needed shot of life when he headed Leipzig in front. This seemed to shake Atletico a little bit and Simeone was required to bring on Portuguese wunderkind Joao Felix for some more attacking intent. That move paid off when Felix was fouled in the box and won his side a penalty. Felix stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty, leveling the match at 1-1.
The match wore on without much creativity from either side, until the ball broke for Leipzig in midfield and they got the ball moved up the pitch quickly. A cross from the left side found American midfielder Tyler Adams in open space on the edge of the box, and he unleashed a shot the deflected off an Atletico defender and into the back of the net with Polish keeper Jan Oblak wrong-footed. That goal in the 88th minute gave Leipzig a strong chance of advancing, and after quite a lot of stoppage time that involved a sideline scuffle among the opposing players, the whistle finally went and Leipzig pulled off the upset.
Well done to Adams especially, who probably scored the biggest goal an American has ever scored in the CL. Right place, right time, and a little bit of luck.
Leipzig will play PSG in the semifinals of the CL.
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (Preview)
Seasoned readers of this blog know that I like to bring in guest writers from time to time. Here is another great contribution from our resident Barcelona expert: Jose!
“Quick recap after a very dominating game against Napoli from my lord and savior, Leo Messi. Barcelona were able to dominate against the heavily Italian style defense of Napoli. Although that is in the past now, I saw one glimmer of hope: the rotation of subs to start 11 players. My hope is the Barcelona coach finally is getting into groove with the Catalan football style. Now to the future fixture of the dominant Germans, Bayern Munich, how do we defeat them? The simple answer is I HAVE NO IDEA. Munich is stacked with players and with Lewandowski on a very hot season it’s almost impossible to breakdown. The only hope I have is for an early mistake by Munich’s defense and the front 3 of Suarez, Messi and Griezmann capitalize and hopefully have the Bayern defense push up higher which would lead to more counter attacks. Barcelona CAN NOT make any mistakes against the German league-winning side. Bayern is known as the power house of champions league this year and quiet honestly could be champions with the form that they are playing. An interesting fact you note is that Barcelona are a much better team when they are the David to Bayern’s Goliath. Overall I believe that eveyone will need to press and defend together but most importantly to keep a cool head throughout the game. With that being said this would be my starting 11 which I believe would dominate and pressure Bayern’s midfield in a 4-2-3-1:
Ter Stergen
Jordi-Lenglet-Pique-Semedo
De Jong-Vidal-Ansu F.
Messi-Griz-Suarez
Although this is more defensive lineup I believe with our best 4 strikers in form right now attacking early we will have a much better chance at attacking the Bayern Munich young defense. But I most likely see a classic 4-3-3:
Ter Stergen
Jordi-Lenglet-Pique-Semedo
Rakitic-De Jong-Vidal
Griz-Suarez-Messi
This is our classic 4-3-3 I believe that this game will be a mostly possession game and the game will end in a 2-1 or 3-2 match. The game will come down to who can capitalize on more mistakes earlier in the game rather later.
And on a final note “Que donde esta 07 07 donde estasss” Madrid fans you can thank Varane for starting your summer a little early this year!”
Jose’s analysis is spot-on. Bayern are probably favorites but you would be very unwise to count out Leo Messi. Barca vs. Bayern is the tie of the quarterfinals, and if you want to watch an exhibition of great football then I suggest throwing the game on at noon PT / 3 ET America time.
4-4-2 