Too much speed, too much class: In the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig is shown the limits. The big dream of the final of the premier class is over. Coach Julian Nagelsmann cannot outsmart his opponent Thomas Tuchel.
Lisbon (dpa) - RB Leipzig's "Missão Final" is stopped shortly before the goal. The Bundesliga club missed the big coup in the premier class against the overwhelming star ensemble of Paris Saint-Germain.
Against the fast-paced football art of world champions Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, the Saxons were overwhelmed with 0: 3 (0: 2) in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday evening in the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The tactical duel between the German coaches was decided by PSG coach Thomas Tuchel against Julian Nagelsmann. Without the parades of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, Nagelsmann would have even experienced a disgrace.
After the goals from Marquinhos (13th minute), Angel di Maria (42nd) and Juan Bernat (56th), Tuchel is already attacking the French champions against FC Bayern Munich or Olympique Lyon after the donors from Qatar Long-awaited handle pot. After the auspicious days in Portugal's capital, RB Leipzig has to travel home disillusioned.
From October on, RB Leipzig can make a new attempt in the group stage of the premier class. Instead of the big final, the next competitive game is the DFB Cup game on the second weekend in September at the second division club 1. FC Nürnberg.
Nagelsmann, who has known his former sponsor Tuchel for more than a decade, in a fashionable suit with a gray jacket, kept shouting new instructions on the lawn, as usual energetically. Probably also out of respect for the world-class offensive of the French around world champions Kylian Mbappé, Di Maria and Neymar, he prescribed a back four for his team on the defensive, which had to survive several dangerous situations in the first few minutes.
Neymar hit the outside post after a strong pass from Mbappé (6th). Seconds later, only a handball by the Brazilian, who also hit the post with a free kick (35th), prevented the next big PSG chance. The two star players cast a lot - and repeatedly embarrassed the RB defense with high speed and technical finesse. Marquinhos still scored after a set piece. With Di Maria's free kick, the assignment in the RB defense was not correct. Tuchel, who mostly sat on a large box because of the thick splint on his injured foot, jumped up triumphantly.
The former Dortmund native had once trained Nagelsmann in the lowlands of amateur football at FC Augsburg II and then sent off as a scout - but both tactics experts had tried very hard beforehand to downplay their personal relationship. "In the end, it is the players who have to win the game," said Nagelsmann. Except for a shot by Yussuf Poulsen after a good run by Konrad Laimer over the right side (25th) and a few attempts at 0: 3, his players remained safe for long stretches.
It was indicated again and again that the Paris defense could also be dealt with at high speed. Atalanta Bergamo had also brought the star ensemble very close to defeat in the quarterfinals. The Leipzigers lacked access, too often only fouls helped to prevent PSG from building up the game. That hardly bothered the Parisian professionals.
Neymar initiated Di Maria's goal dreamily with the hoe, previously the aggressive PSG pressing had forced Leipzig's often requested goalkeeper Gulacsi to make a bitter bad pass. Nagelsmann sat on the sidelines, literally rubbing his eyes and watching the PSG cheers with contrite. Shortly before the break, Neymar was only inches away from his first goal of the final tournament (44th).
The two Leipzig offensives Emil Forsberg and Patrik Schick came in the second half and should increase the pressure, which also worked for at least ten minutes. The former Bayern professional Bernat punished severely for the next negligence on the defensive. The Spaniard hit with a head after Nordi Mukiele slipped by his own corner flag, lost the ball to Di Maria and the latter was able to cross unhindered. Mbappé and Co. subsequently had other opportunities in which Gulacsi was able to distinguish himself several times.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200818-99-218144 / 3
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