CHOUPO-MOTING BREAKS ATALANTA'S HEART

It was another thrilling night in the UEFA Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain came out 2-1 winners in their quarter-final clash against Italian side Atalanta with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scoring a 93rd minute winner for French Champions.

It was very painful for Atalanta who have had magnificent season in the Champions League. They won the hearts of most football lovers with their intricate and fearless style of play. Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini and fans will be very proud of their club's journey in Europe even though it ended in a very harsh manner, but that is the game of football. It can be very cruel and heart-breaking at times.

PSG started the game well but squandered a lot of opportunities to take the lead. Neymar in particular, was guilty of missing clear-cut chances. Atalanta gradually got some composure in the game and in the 26th minute, former Chelsea player Mario Pašalić' gave Atalanta the lead after curling the ball past Keylor Navas. Atalanta continued to dominate but were still susceptible to PSG's counter attack. The pace and trickery of Neymar was causing Atalanta all sorts of problem on the break but the managed to maintain their lead till half-time.

In the second-half, PSG began to pile pressure on the Italian side but still could not get the equaliser. Then on 60th minute, Thomas Tuchel replaced Pablo Sarabia with Kylian Mbappe who was not fit to start. Mbappe and Neymar combined at times to score but nothing happened. Fatigue began to set in on some of the Atalanta players. 

Gasperini made some changes to try and freshen his tiring squad. Tuchel also made more changes in the 72nd minute. He replaced Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye with Julian Draxler and Leandro Paredes respectively. An injury to Keylor Navas forced Sergio Rico to replace him in the 79th minute. Icardi was replaced by Choupo-Moting. 

PSG continued piling the pressure until they made a breakthrough in the 90th minute. Marquinhos hit the ball into the net from the edge the six-yard box. PSG finally got their equaliser but it did not stop there. They continued their incessant pressure until Choupo-Moting poked the ball into the net after sleek link-up play from Neymar and Mbappe.

The result meant that PSG had qualified for the semi-final in the Champions League for the first time since 1995. After such a performance, Neymar and his teammates can believe that this could be the year they finally win the UEFA Champions League.