Leipzig stun Atletico to reach Champions League last four

RB Leipzig surprised Atletico Madrid, with a 2-1 victory of their Champions League quarter-final on Thursday, to achieve the competitors’s final 4 for the primary time of their membership’s brief historical past.

With two minutes of regular time remaining, United States midfielder Tyler Adams snatched victory with a deflected shot from exterior the field to arrange a semi-final conflict with Paris St Germain.

The German aspect had taken the lead within the 51st minute with a header from Spanish ahead Dani Olmo however a disjointed Atletico had been shaken into life when file signing Joao Felix got here off the bench, incomes and scoring a penalty to stage within the 71st.

Atletico, runners-up in 2014 and 2016, appeared extra prone to rating the following aim but it surely was the membership based solely eleven years in the past who had been left celebrating in entrance of the empty seats of the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Now the staff, constructed up from the decrease leagues and owned by vitality drinks firm Red Bull, will come up towards Neymar and firm with an opportunity at a spot within the Aug. 23 last.

As with all video games on this ‘final eight’ mini-tournament, there have been no followers to witness the drama but it surely was clear from the outset that Leipzig felt at house amongst European soccer’s elite.

They fired an early warning shot when Marcel Halstenberg was picked out on the again publish however his troublesome volley flew off course.

Atletico responded with Yannick Carrasco bursting in from the left and firing goalwards however Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi reacted nicely to push the trouble broad.

Julian Nagelsmann’s aspect rapidly settled although into the model of engaging passing and motion that has earned them many admirers.

Kevin Kampl was busy within the centre of midfield and left wing again Angelino was having fun with loads of house down the flanks but it surely was the efficiency of French central defender Dayot Upamecano that was essentially the most spectacular.

Solid defensively, taking good care of Atletico’s over-isolated striker Diego Costa, he additionally had the boldness to carry the ball out of the again and be the place to begin for Leipzig’s strikes.

BREAKTHROUGH

It was not possible to not marvel how totally different the sport may need been if Leipzig had not bought their prime scorer Timo Werner to Chelsea in June, given the shortage of an actual risk in assault.

But six minutes after the interval, they discovered a manner by – Marcel Sabitzer’s cross from the proper was met by Olmo, the Spaniard’s angled header flashing previous Jan Oblak and into the far, backside nook.

The aim prompted Atletico boss Diego Simeone right into a change, with Felix, the 20-year-old Portugal worldwide and membership file signing, launched within the 58th minute.

The transfer paid off when Felix glided into the field and was introduced down by an ill-timed deal with from Lukas Klostermann for a penalty.

Felix hasn’t had essentially the most impactful of debut seasons however he had the boldness to get to his ft and bury the spot kick to get the Spaniards again on stage phrases with 19 minutes left.

Atletico sensed the momentum had shifted they usually pushed ahead seeking a winner, which appeared the extra doubtless final result, presumably in extra-time, as Leipzig struggled to regain management of the sport.

But with two minutes of regular time remaining, substitute Adams tried his luck with shot from exterior the field, which deflected off defender Stefan Savic and beat the wrong-footed Oblak.

Atletico piled on the stress however Leipzig had the assumption and the fortitude to carry on for his or her most well-known victory.