European nights came alive in what one would call an exotic encounter between attack and defence. Paris Saint-Germain turned the tie around dramatically in a span of two minutes. That too when everybody thought that they were once again going to crash out of Europe’s biggest football tournament unceremoniously.
Lisbon stayed witness to one of the best games in this year’s European championship. That too, as PSG overcame a deficit to sail hammer and tongs to be the first team to register a semi-final berth. Mario Pasalic carved out an exquisite finish to draw first blood for the Italian upstarts. Tuchel had to introduce an injured Mbappe to bring out the best in his players. He was able to provide ample support to an in-form Brazilian talisman, Neymar.
Despite raining a barrage of attacks on the Italian rearguard, a resolute stand from the Atalanta custodian. Sportiello kept the French champions at bay until the dying embers of the game. Neymar bombed his way past in the wild left beyond his marker to whip in a picture-perfect cross in the stride of Marquinhos. The Brazilian nudged the ball into a stranded Caldera only for him to steer it properly into the net.
Moments later, it was Mbappe’s blistering speed which found the French striker scampering past his marker. It was with consummate ease and consequently teed up Choupo-Moting. The player was left with another delectable pass to eliminate a gritty Atalanta out of the fray.
We will look at three talking points that tipped the scales of the game.
1. Individual brilliance of Neymar and Mbappe proved extremely hot for Atalanta to handle
Despite being chased relentlessly by the Atalanta players who put in an extremely staunch shift to leave PSG in arrant disarray. It was Neymar in the first half whose relentless flashes of individual brilliance accentuated the frown on Gisperini’s face. Though failing repeatedly to pull that final trigger, his bursts down the left laced with some fancy footwork. It was this skill-set that often saw him shimmying past those defenders magically. It was indeed was a case of vintage Neymar.
Initially doubted to be at his fullest potential due to a scathed ankle, Tuchel was compelled to introduce Mbappe to the ranks in order to add the pace quotient to his team’s attacking essays. Right since his introduction, the fouls from Atalanta increased exponentially as the defenders failed to contain the French speedster.
It was Neymar and Mbappe who strung in those stellar assists in the end that helped PSG to fire their way to the semi-finals.
2. The Atalantan brand of football is what adds to the essence of these European nights
Though being undone in the dying embers of the game, Atalanta belted out an absolute masterclass under the tutelage of Gasperini. Despite starting the bout reticently, they shortly brought the bunny out of their hats. Their sudden infringements in the PSG box kept Keylor Navas on his toes.
After repeated explorations in the attacking third, a defensive howler that allowed acres of leeway to Pasalic was what chronicled the first goal of the match. This was just the beginning of what would throw PSG out of their elements until the hour mark.
High pressing from the Italian footballers compelled the French stalwarts to resort to route one football which did not yield much as Neymar was being singled out and much to his dismay, his shots were beyond emasculated for the night.
3. Tuchel’s patience won the game for Paris Saint-Germain
Ideally, in these kinds of situations, the team heftier on papers introduces their heavy artillery early in the game to dismantle their opponents. However, with the kind of foe, Atalanta is, Tuchel realized that they will have to sustain a good deal of Italian tempest before they unleash the storm in their sails.
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Much to the surprise of Serie A clubs, Atalanta doesn’t really resort to the Italian motto of “Defend until you die”. They are a free-flowing exciting bunch of rebellious footballers who have honed themselves into an attacking drill under the chaperonage of Gasperini. However, Tuchel, unfazed by the developments of the game ensured that Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe maintained a resolute last line of defence to cut the Italian attacks in the second half.
The Paris Saint-Germain manager’s technical manoeuvres which saw the wary introduction of Julian Draxler, Choupo-Moting, Mbappe and Leandro Paredes. The team reaped handsome dividends. Atalanta was at their wits’ end as the referee had to bring out the yellow card several times. It was owing to the number of fouls.
Gauging the Italian club’s weariness slowly setting in, he unleashed his pace-monsters. The attackers left the opposition reeling. Neymar and Mbappe sped past the physically depleted left-wingers. However, with a couple of stellar runs to square off those late goals, the game turned on its head. The ones which brought out the highest theatrics. One of the most dramatic bursts of exhilaration from a crippled Thomas Tuchel along the sidelines.
