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RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain are set to lock horns in what could be one of the most exciting UEFA Champions League semifinal ties in recent years. Both sides have bright young managers at the helm and believe in a brand of eye-catching attacking football, as they look to pip one another for a place in the final.
Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel are well acquainted with each other, with the former working under the PSG manager at Mainz over a decade ago. A lot has changed for the pair in recent years, with Tuchel taking over the reins at the Parisian club and Nagelsmann becoming the youngest manager in Champions League history to make it through to the semifinals.
In the buildup to the game, Tuchel revealed that he finds it rather unbelievable that he is set to face off against Nagelsmann in a semifinal.
“I could not imagine that 12 years after coaching him [Nagelsmann] I would be going up against him in the semi-final. We did not have enough staff and as he was injured we asked him to do some scouting"
Both teams left it to secure victory in the quarterfinal stage, as two substitutes produced match-winning moments for their respective sides. While Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting decided the game for PSG with the odd goal in three, Tyler Adams' late heroics via a deflection saw Leipzig advance through to the semifinals.
As the first UEFA Champions League clash between Leipzig and PSG draws ever so close, here are five key battles that could decide the tie at the Estádio da Luz.
#5 Marcel Sabitzer v Idrissa Gueye
Marcel Sabitzer was a live-wire for Leipzig in their historic victory against Atletico Madrid and is a key player in midfield for Nagelsmann. The Austrian star's industry from the centre of the park could cause problems for the PSG midfield, with the Parisians set to be without Marco Verratti once again.
Idrissa Gueye started alongside Marquinhos and Ander Herrera, as Tuchel added another man in midfield to make up for the loss of the Italian. The Senegalese midfielder has been a key player for the Parisian outfit this season and produced a fantastic performance once again, as he broke up play and initiated attacks with incredible efficiency.
However, with the likes of Sabitzer, Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku playing in between the lines for Leipzig, the former Everton midfielder could have his work cut out for him.
Sabitzer and Olmo combined to devastating effect for the first goal against Atleti, as the former's cross was headed into the back of the net by the 22-year-old to break the deadlock.
Gueye will have to use all his experience to keep Sabitzer out of the game if PSG are to gain control of the game in midfield.
#4 Angelino v Thilo Kehrer
Angelino produced another impressive performance for Leipzig, as his stock continues to grow with each passing game. The Manchester City loanee is usually deployed as a left wing-back, a role that happens to suit his skill set perfectly. While Angelino tends to get caught out defensively at times, his electric pace and crossing ability makes him a threat in the final third for Leipzig.
The 23-year-old comes up against Thilo Kehrer, who was once again one of PSG's below-par players against Atalanta. Kehrer's positioning was suspect on the night and he offered nothing going forward, as Tuchel's side relied on Neymar's brilliance to bail them out in attack.
Angelino, on the other hand, capped off a fine performance with a match-winning assist. Having made his way in behind Kieran Tripper, the Spaniard delivered a fantastic cross for Adams' goal, as the American's drilled shot from the edge of the penalty area found its way into the back of the net via a deflection.
Kehrer is set to come up against the diminutive Spaniard and will have to be on his toes to keep the exciting full-back at bay.
Also Read: 10 amazing facts from RB Leipzig's historic victory against Atletico Madrid
#3 Angel di Maria v Kevin Kampl
PSG are set to be boosted by the return of Angel di Maria, who was suspended for the quarterfinal tie against Atalanta. The Argentine midfielder looks set to replace Ander Herrera in the centre of the park and could cause problems with his incisive passing and long-range shooting.
The Parisian side lacked attacking quality in their previous encounter, with Neymar taking on the burden himself to make things happen for his team. However, with the return of Kylian Mbappe and Di Maria, PSG's devastating attacking quartet could cause problems for the Leipzig midfield.
Kevin Kampl ran the show for the Bundesliga outfit against a resolute Atleti midfield and complemented Marcel Sabitzer efficiently. However, going up against a player of Di Maria's quality and experience could be quite the task for the 29-year-old.
With the Argentine expected to play as an advanced midfielder behind the front three, Kampl's task would be to cut him out of the game and prevent him from playing the likes of Mbappe and Neymar through on goal.
#2 Kylian Mbappe v Dayot Upamecano
Arguably the best player on the pitch for Leipzig against Atletico Madrid, Dayot Upamecano produced an excellent showing at the back for his side. The young Frenchman dominated a seasoned veteran like Diego Costa and enjoyed one of his best performances of the season, as he continues to make a name for himself as one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football.
Kylian Mbappe, on the other hand, was only fit enough for the bench for PSG. However, he came on as a second-half substitute and wreaked havoc, as the Parisian side scored two late goals to win the tie in stoppage time.
The 21-year-old's direct running and explosive pace could be a handful for the Leipzig defenders to deal with, while his movement off the ball is also a key feature of his gameplay.
With Upamecano stationed in the centre of a back three with Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg either side of him, the onus will once again be on him to marshal the Leipzig rearguard and keep the likes of Mbappe and Neymar at bay.
#1 Neymar v Peter Gulasci
Despite not getting his name on the scoresheet, Neymar was the star of the show for Paris Saint-Germain in their last-gasp victory against Atalanta. The mercurial Brazilian was at the top of his game and took matters into his own hands in the absence of Mbappe and Di Maria, as he delivered his best performance in the Champions League for PSG.
Neymar completed a staggering 16 dribbles and had more touches (113) than any player on the pitch, while he also provided an assist and took home the Man of the Match award. Having missed a glorious chance to score in the first half, the Brazilian made amends with his lively performance and spearheaded his side to the semis.
Peter Gulasci, on the other hand, didn't have much to do for Leipzig apart from a few routine saves. The Hungarian goalkeeper was relatively untroubled and almost got his hands to Joao Felix's penalty, as Leipzig dumped Atleti out of the Champions League.
While Neymar didn't have his shooting boots on against Atalanta, that is unlikely to be the case once again. The Brazilian did everything but score in PSG's previous encounter and looked in ominous touch, as he ran the show for his side.
Gulasci will have to be at his brilliant best to thwart the PSG attackers, with Neymar expected to take centre stage once again.
Also Read: 5 players who will play for Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future
