The late late show In Lisbon breaks Atalanta hearts

French champions Paris Saint-Germain met Italy’s surprise package Atalanta in Lisbon for the first new-look single-leg Champions League quarter-final tie.

PSG had consistently failed to advance past this stage of Europe’s elite competition, whereas Atalanta were competing in the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Keylor Navas was the first goalkeeper to have his gloves stung with Atalanta skipper Papu Gomez getting his early effort on target, and the deputy keeper of the Serie A side, Sportiello, should’ve been using his gloves too just seconds later, but to pick the ball out of his net.

However, PSG’s talisman Neymar sensationally put his effort well wide of the Atalanta goal after being played through one-on-one by striker Mauro Icardi; a high intensity start to a game featuring two sides that love to score goals.

Navas made another vital save eight minutes later as the Costa Rican managed to tip away wing-back Hateboer’s headed effort. The Italian side, who’ve scored two shy of a century of goals in Serie A this season, were flexing their offensive muscles early on, even with the absence of top-scorer Ilicic.

And after a quiet period, it was the underdogs who took the lead on the 27th minute with a superb finish from striker Mario Pasalic after being set up by Duvan Zapata, with the Croat recently making his loan move to Serie A’s third-placed side from Chelsea permanent.

The French champions responded well though and almost found an equaliser after dazzling play from Neymar who dragged his long-range effort just wide of the far post; the contest was starting to hot up once again.

The Brazilian would eventually get an effort on target ten minutes before the interval, but his free-kick proved no problem for the stand-in keeper Sportiello and it continued to be an unsuccessful half in front of goal for him and PSG, missing two further decent chances, meaning that the scoreline at half-time remained 1-0 in favour of the Italians. 

In what was a quieter half in the second period, the Italians remained frightfully dangerous in front of goal for PSG, with Djimsiti missing a good opportunity at the back post following a threatening set-piece from Atalanta just shy of the hour mark.

And it was at the hour mark where the game turned significantly. The absence of PSG’s star striker Kylian Mbappe was evident as soon as the game kicked off, with both Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia proving ineffective and frankly non-existent in the final-third.

The 21-year-old had recovered well following his injury in the Coupe De France win last month against St.Etienne and Thomas Tuchel had admitted in his pre-match press conference that the striker could play half an hour, and it was time for the German coach to play his trump card.

Mbappe instantly made a difference and PSG looked a different beast going forward with his introduction, forcing a good save from Sportiello and then falling victim to an excellent last-ditch tackle from Atalanta substitute Palomino. Momentum in the game was certainly shifting in PSG’s favour.

As full-time loomed it looked like if PSG were to advance to the semi-finals, they’d have to do it in extra-time with the French champions still scouring for an equaliser. Luckily, they were eventually able to break down the resolute Atalanta defence as Neymar found midfielder Marquinhos in the box for a tap-in. 

Heartbreakingly for the Italians, Neymar once again proved to be the kingpin in PSG’s offense, managing to find substitute Kylian Mbappe who’s ball across the face of goal was tapped in by fellow substitute Choupo-Moting deep into added time. 

Heartbreak for the Champions League debutants, ecstasy for a PSG side who, time and time again, have failed at this stage of the competition.

The 2-1 victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side means that they will face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid for a place in the final. Regardless of the opposition, the Parisians will certainly fancy their chances of making it to the final and, potentially, finally getting their hands on a trophy that has been out of reach for so long.

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