Matchwinner Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting beamed and fell into his teammates’ arms. Thomas Tuchel was forced to shake his head in disbelief while sitting down. Thanks to two late moments of happiness, both of them with Paris Saint-Germain can continue to dream of the big coup in the Champions League. Former Bundesliga player Choupo-Moting (90th + 3) and previously Marquinhos (90th) turned the almost lost quarter-finals against Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday evening. In the semifinals of the final tournament of the premier class in Lissbaon, the French series champions will face Atlético Madrid or Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on August 18th.
Mario Pasalic (27th minute) had brought Atalanta, the club from the Italian city hardest hit by the corona pandemic, into the lead. The supposed outsider was the better team for a long time – but then in the almost deserted Estádio da Luz Marquinhos and the substitute Choupo-Moting were there at the crucial moment. PSG are in the semi-finals for the first time in 25 years.
Tuchel, who was sitting on the sideline after a metatarsal fracture with a thick splint, did not look at all satisfied in the initial phase. The 46-year-old gesticulated, grimaced – and when his Brazilian star striker Neymar missed the first big chance in the third minute in front of the goal, Tuchel clapped his hands in front of his face. Neymar’s congenial partner in the PSG offensive, the French world champion Kylian Mbappé, was substituted on after an hour after an injury, not quite fit. National player Julian Draxler came in the 72nd minute.
Atalanta played viciously, with high pressing and without respect for the big Parisian names. Bergamo also put pressure on the French champions via the left side of Robin Gosens, who could make his debut for the German national team at the upcoming international matches in September. Start coach Pep Guardiola, who opposed Atalanta in the group stage with Manchester City, once compared a game against the Lombards to a visit to the dentist: “You always suffer.”
And Paris had a hard time. Neymar showed his extra class in individual actions. A long-range shot by the 28-year-old from the edge of the penalty area only just missed (28th). He missed another big chance miserably (42nd). Overall, however, PSG too often lacked the speed to play off the Bergamo defensive that was cleverly defending and with a lot of running effort. In the phase in which Paris at least secured more possession, Pasalic hit the goal with a strong left-footed shot. At the half-time whistle, Tuchel retired into the cabin on his crutches with his lips pressed together.
Bergamo didn’t let up an inch after the lead. Berat Djimsiti could have increased after a free kick, but just missed the Paris goal (58th). The PSG professionals, who had only played two competitive games in the past five months, increasingly tried to control the game in the second half – but that remained dependent on the individual players. Mbappé failed at Bergamo goalkeeper Marco Sportiello (74th). To make matters worse, PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas had to be replaced with injuries (79th). Marquinhos and Choupo-Moting did not let that stop them. And in the end, the jubilation of Tuchel and Neymar knew almost no bounds.
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