Tyler Adams’ late deflected strike saw RB Leipzig reach their first ever Champions League semi-finals after a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.
Atletico may have entered this last-eight showdown at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as favourites after eliminating holders Liverpool in the previous round, but it was their opponents who made the more assured start in the Portuguese capital.
The Bundesliga side, without star man Timo Werner, opened the scoring five minutes into the second half when Spaniard Dani Olmo headed home Marcel Sabitzer’s cross.
However, Diego Simeone’s Atletico team drew level thanks to substitute Joao Felix, who both won and converted a penalty with 19 minutes to go.
With extra-time looming, though, Leipzig won it thanks to their own substitute as Adams saw his low drive deflect in past a helpless Jan Oblak via Stefan Savic’s outstretched leg.
The win marks an historic night for Leipzig, who were only formed 11 years ago and playing their first ever season in Germany’s top flight in 2016. Progress to the last four also puts another feather in the cap of their coach Julian Nagelsmann, whose stock will rise even further after ousting Diego Simeone, one of this competition’s most revered tacticians.
Simeone simply offered his congratulations to Leipzig as they advanced to set up a semi-final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
“We gave it everything we had,” he said. “It was difficult for us to win the duels and they were faster. It has been a long year, with those 60 days off. Then there was pressure coming back to the Champions League. We had one week off then back to training.
“We haven’t been able to play the way we wanted. I liked Leipzig. They had great determination, enthusiasm and freshness. That cost us. There are no excuses. We gave our best and made it to the quarter-finals. We are going out fairly and we have to congratulate our opponents.”
Julian Nagelsmann praised his players as his side will now face Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final on Tuesday night.
“It was a good game for my squad and I am very happy. At the end I think we were a bit better in the final third and that was the difference,” said Nagelsmann.
“We did not create many chances but Atletico also did not create many chances and in the end I think we were a bit more dangerous around the opponent’s goal and I think it is good we are in the semi-finals.
“It is good emotions for the club and the team, I am very proud of my team, they did very well. This club and this team have developed very fast, faster than usual, but as a manager you have to look forward and prepare for the next game and prepare for the next opponent.”
Julian Nagelsmann
After Real Madrid’s loss against Manchester City, only Barcelona are left to fly the Spanish flag in this tournament and they face a formidable challenge against Bayern Munich.
