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Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League on August 12, 2020 in Lisbon. The Parisians beat Atalanta Bergamo 2-1, while they were down 1-0. They will face either Leipzig or Atletico Madrid on August 18.
It was long believed that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) would experience a new disillusionment in the Champions League (C1), this August 12, 2020 in Lisbon, in this quarter-final of the competition. PSG were led 1-0 by Atalanta Bergamo for more than an hour, before qualifying for their first C1 semi-final since 1995.
On the day of its fiftieth anniversary, the French club therefore returns to a level that it had not reached for more than two decades. He will dream of his first final in this shortened competition without an audience (Covid-19 requires), on August 18, against Leipzig or Atletico Madrid.
A clumsy Neymar in the last move
But it was hard for inefficient Parisians, like their playmaker Neymar, clumsy three times in the first period: losing a face to face with the opposing goalkeeper Marco Sportiello (3rd), crossing too much a shooting (28th), or by sending the ball into the clouds during a counter-attack (42nd).
At this level of competition, missing such opportunities is seldom forgiving. Atalanta, who were playing in the first Champions League quarter-final in their history, understood this. In the 27th minute, attacking midfielder Mario Pasalic sees the ball coming towards him and sends it into the opposing side net with an instant curling shot. The porter Keylor Navas, who had saved his camp on a whim by Hans Hateboer (11th), could not do anything. 1-0, for the Italian club.
Choupo-Moting, a super anti-hero
The hour of play precipitated the entry into play of Kylian Mbappé, however diminished by an injury. Directly placed on the left wing, the pep of the star striker of PSG brought dynamism and scoring opportunities like these raids that he could not conclude (74th, 80th).
The Parisian burst came, however, from a vice-captain who never let go, Marquinhos, and an always exemplary replacement, Eric Choupo-Moting. The Brazilian and Cameroonian saved the 50th birthday party, as well as the title hopes in the most prestigious of European competitions.
There was first the equalizing goal of Marquinhos on a center-shot from Neymar (1-1, 90th), then the perfect pass from Mbappé for Choupo-Moting (2-1, 90 + 3), just after his entry into play. Two already legendary goals for PSG. For the Indomitable Lion, it is also a great revenge. He, who has often been mocked for his level of play, among the champions of France.
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