Can Julian Nagelsmann’s

Leipzig do another
masterclass against Thomas
Tuchel’s PSG?
After the resumption of UEFA Champions league on August 7, football fans have been relishing
the new format of knockout competition as they get used to the ‘new normal’ of stadiums
without fans. Paris Saint German and Red Bull Leipzig lock horns in the first semi-final of the
2019/20 season. Both teams will view it as an opportunity to reach the final for the first time
their respective clubs’ history.

PSG managed to survive the scare from Italian side Atalanta by managing to comeback in a 2-1
victory. In the dying minutes of the game, they scored 2 goals in the space of 149 seconds.

Their talisman Neymar was in scintillating form throughout the game with a UCL record-
equaling 16 dribbles. But the UEFA ‘player of the week’ (quarterfinals) would be looking to
improve his finishing as he managed to have only 2 shots on target from the 7 taken.
Nevertheless it was Neymar’s pass across the six-yard box that led to a 90th minute equalizer by
Marquinhos, much to the relief of Coach Thomas Tuchel.

Mbappe who suffered an ankle inury in the Coup de la Ligue final victory against Lyon, came on
as a 60th minute substitute and immediately added drive to his team’s performance with his pace
and dribbling. It was his darting run and cross for the winner by Choup-Motang in the second
minute of injury time that led to celebrations from both PSG players and the support staff.
RB Leipzig, the dark horses of this season, was able to bundle out three-time finalists Altetico
Madrid. The 2009 founded German club made giant strides by entering Bundesliga in 2016. In
four short seasons, they are now UCL semifinalist without their star man Timo Werner. Leipzig
did not miss the 34 goal striker who moved to Chelsea in June. Leipzig did well to stretch
Atletico in the first half by effective play on the flanks. The score however remained 0-0 at half
time.

Five minutes into the second half, Marcel Sabatier’s cross from the right flank was nodded in
impressively by Daniel Olmo to take the lead. The 20 year old Joa Felix came off the bench to
win and convert an equalizing penalty for Atletico.

In the end Leipzig showed more passion and wit to dump their more seasoned opponents from
the competition. Naglesmann’s second half substitutions need to be lauded as Tyler Adams
scored the 88th minute winner. His deflect shot hit the net as he did well to latch on to a cross
from Jose Tasende, sparking wild celebrations on the touchline.

The centre back Dayot Upamecano was declared the man of the match. His statistics against
Atletico:

• Tackle success 100%

• Dribble success 100%
• Passing Accuracy 92%
• Joint-most touches: 99
• Joint most clearances: 5
• Ground Duels won: 6/7

• Aerial Duels won: 3/4

Key Opta Match facts:
• This will be the first ever competitive meeting between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint
German.
• PSG have reached the UCL semifinals for the first time since 1994/95 campaign.
• PSG have progressed from each of their three previous European knockout ties against
German opposition, including against Borussia Dortmund (this season) at the Round of
16 stage.
• RB Leipzig are unbeaten in their last seven champions league matches (5 wins and 2
draws). This is after losing four of their first eight in the competition (3 wins and a draw).
• PSG forward Kylian Mbappe has been directly involved in 10 goals in 9 Champions
League appearances this season (5 goals and assists each)
• RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer has been involved in six goals in last six Champions
League gaqmes (4 goals and 2 assists)

Team news:
PSG would be without their experienced goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was substituted in the
closing stages of the quarterfinal due to a hamstring injury. This means that the three-time
Champions League winner will be replaced by 26 year old Sergio Rico playing only his 10th
match in all competitions. PSG midfielder Andrea Herrera has given his vote of confidence to
the on-loan stopper, who is a two-time Euorpa League winner with Sevilla.

The French side get a huge boost since Angel Di Maria is back from suspension and will mostly
replace injured former Everton midfielder, Idrissa Geuye. On the eve of the semifinal clash,
Tuchel praised former Manchester United player Herrera’s leadership qualities as he looks to
start against Leipzig. “Fantastic leader and club captain” Thiago Silva is expected to be fit for the
semifinal showdown. Mbappe has also been declared fit to start by the German coach.

Predicted line-up(4-3-3): Sergio Rico; Thilo Kehrer , Thiago

Silva, Presnel Kimpembe, Juan Bernat; Andre Herrera,
Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria; Kylian Mbappe, Mauro
Icardi, Neymar
Red Bull Leipzig do not have injury concerns with Ibrahima Konate ruled out last month due to
hip surgery. It is most likely that 33 year old Nagelsmann would select the same 11 with Yussef
Poulsen as the lone striker. However, Patrik Schick is also looking to lead the line in place of
him. Olmo is thriving in the position behind the centre forward as Leipzig look to cause
problems for the PSG backline. Match winner Adams will also push for a start in place of
Laimer.
Predicted line up:(4-2-3-1): Peter Gulasci; Lukas
Klostermann, Dayot Upamecano, Marcel Halstenberg, Jose
Tasende; Kevin Kampl, Konrad Laimer; Marcel Sabitzer,
Daniel Olmo, Christopher Nkunku; Yussuf Poulsen

What Tactics would either side use?

Leipzig
Leipzig started with a 4-2-3-1 formation against Atletico, when they did not have possession of
the ball. In attack they transitioned into 3-3-3-1 with the wingbacks Tasende and Laimer
providing the width and Kampl as the lone pivot.

Leipzig can use the positional versatility of its players, Laimer and Kampl interchanging
positions in different phases of play. Another example is the shift to 3-5-2 system, like in the
previous game’s second half, to provide more flexibility to the midfield. Nkunku can cut inwards
to be the attacking midfielder and Sabitzer can join the striker to form front two. They can use
their pace and positioning skills to constantly trick their markers.

Against Atalanta, Navas was forced to play long because of the Atalanta’s man-to-man press and
Neymar did very well to drop deep to help the midfielders win second balls and progress the
play. This also pulls the opposition centreback from his position and creates space for the two
attackers. Tuchel will hope that Icardi steps up to link up with Neymar/Mbappe. The French
team will look to score first and create pressure on the opposition.

PSG
PSG will try to maintain a strong mid-block to deal with Leipzig’s positional play in the
midfield. The central defenders will have to be alert to play out passes or clear to the wide
regions. This will be useful in unlocking the wingers or fullbacks who can instigate the attacks.

PSG will look to double up on Leipzig’s weakness in clearing out trouble. Meanwhile, Leipzig
will look depend on swift counter attacks by winning the ball high up the pitch. Unlike in the
quarterfinal game, PSG cannot afford to be shaky on the counters.
The key battle to watch out for will be between 21 year old Upamecano and Mbappe/Neymar.
The central defender will be hoping to limit either of the forwards, like he did against Diego
Costa.

The history between the two coaches: The

Master and The Apprentice
In 2008, Tuchel was the coach of the German side Augsburg’s reserve team. Nagelsmann, a then
20 year old centre half, realized that he had a chronic knee injury that curtailed his playing
career. But Tuchel offered him an opportunity to join the club’s set up as a scout. This inspired
Nagelsmann to become a coach as he realized he has the tools to be successful. The apprentice
has reiterated his gratitude for the master’s role in shaping his coaching career.

Final Thoughts
Will we see Julian Naglesmann’s Leipzig do another master class against Thomas Tuchel’s
PSG? Or will Neymar write PSG’s fairytale champions league story? It is a matter of pride for
either of the camps, and whatever the result may be, fans cannot wait for the mouth watering
encounter between the German and the French sides.