SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Projected PSG starting XI: Rico; Bernat, Kimpembe, Thiago Silva (C), Kehrer; Gueye, Marquinhos, Herrera; Neymar, Icardi, Mbappé
Projected RB Leipzig starting XI: Gulácsi; Angeliño, Halstenberg, Upamecano, Klostermann; Kampl, Laimer; Nkunku, Olmo, Sabitzer (C); Poulsen
The all-important tie between PSG and RB Leipzig will be held on Tuesday, August 18 (Wednesday, August 19, 3 am, Philippine time) at the Estádio de Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
Both clubs will be looking for a first appearance in the UEFA Champions League final, Europe’s premier club competition.
The 21-year old Kylian Mbappé is fit to start for Thomas Tuchel’s domestic treble-winning side, ready to wreak havoc alongside Neymar, who won Man of the Match honors against Atalanta.
Neymar had himself quite a game against the Italian side in the quarterfinals. The former Barcelona forward finished the match with 16 successful dribbles, tying Lionel Messi for the Champions League record. He also drew 9 fouls, the most in a game in the CL this season.
Neymar, however, presented the award to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting after his late-game heroics.
First-choice keeper Keylor Navas will miss the tie due to a torn hamstring sustained in the match against Atalanta. His backup, Sergio Rico, will start in his place in PSG’s biggest match so far this season. The Sevilla loanee has only started 9 games this season, having been limited to early cup games.
This will be just the second appearance in the competition’s semifinals for Paris in their club’s history. The team will look to continue its good form after halting Atalanta’s Cinderella run with two late goals from Marquinhos and super-sub Choupo-Moting.
In only RB Leipzig’s second appearance in the Champions League, it has made it to the semifinals after defeating Atletico Madrid, 2-1, after a late goal pushed them over the top.
The controversial German club looks to further shock the footballing world by defeating a star-studded, transfer-record breaking PSG side.
Julian Nagelsmann, the youngest manager to reach the CL semifinals at 33, will be facing Tuchel, the man who helped start his coaching career, on the opposing bench.
Nagelsmann remains confident in his side, urging his players to “impose [their] game and be courageous” against PSG.
So far, his players haven’t let him down. Despite the departure of 34-goal scorer Timo Werner, Nagelsmann has his team one step away from the final.
Leipzig’s Tyler Adams proved that PSG isn’t the only side with a super-sub. The 21-year old American midfielder came on in the 72nd minute against Atletico Madrid and scored in the 88th minute, scoring off a deflection from an Atletico defender.
But basing off star power alone, Paris looks like they have the game in the bag. Neymar and Mbappé have shown repeatedly in past performances that they can will a side to victory with their sheer pace, creativity and trickery.
However, time and time again, Nagelsmann has shown the uncanny ability to enforce the proper tactics that maximizes such a young squad. This has the makings of an extremely back-and-forth affair with both sides looking as even as it gets, despite PSG’s noted advantage on-paper.
Yet if Neymar replicates his showing against Atalanta, but this time wears his shooting boots, he can lead Paris to its first Champions League final.
The semifinals will be played in a single-leg tie in neutral grounds, unlike the usual home-and-away, two-leg tie due to the pandemic. – Jedd Pagaduan/Rappler.com
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