It was a very historic night for German side RB Leipzig. The club that was established in 2009 qualified for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history after their 2-1 victory against Athletico Madrid.
Coming into this game as the underdogs especially after losing their star striker Timo Werner to Chelsea, Leipzig began the game very well showing pure intent from the very start. They dominated possession throughout the first-half but failed to score. Madrid had their moment but Dayot Upamecano was in imperious form for the German club. The first-half end goal-less.
RB Leipzig began the second-half on the front foot, and on the 50th minute, Dani Olmo(formerly from Barcelona's La Masia) gave Leipzig the lead after receiving the ball from Marcel Sabitzer.
Eight minutes later, Athletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone made his first change. He replace Hector Herrera with Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix. The youngster brought some spark and intent into Athletico's play. A penalty was given to the Spanish side in the 71st minute and it was scored by the young Portuguese.
Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann also made a host of changes. He replaced Konrad Laimer with the American Tyler Adams. In the 83rd minute, he made two more substitutions. He changed goalscorer Dani Olmo with Patrik Schick and midfielder Christopher Nkunku with Amadou Haidara.
The changes worked and RB Leipzig put a lot of pressure on Madrid. On the 88th, Angelino's brilliant cutback found Tyler Adams at the edge of the penalty box and his shot went past Jan Oblak via a deflection from Savic to give Leipzig the lead.
Simeone introduced Felipe into the game for more presence and height for the attack. But it was not going to be his night. RB Leipzig defended well to secure their place in the semi-finals.
It was a tactical masterclass from Julian Nagelsmann(who is 33) against Simeone. His team pressed very well, they were very tidy and sleek in possession and clinical in front of goal. They really deserved their victory.
Nagelsmann and his team will face Thomas Tuchel's PSG, a manager he worked under at Augsburg.
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