Late Sensation against Madrid, Leipzig and nail man storms into semi-finals

RB Leipzig has a bold and confident look as a surprise, but deserved to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Mavericks won the quarter-final against Atlético Madrid 2:1. The Saxons went through a headed goal from Dani Olmo after good work by Marcel Sabitzer in the 50. Minute with 1:0 in leadership. Madrid equalized thanks to a penalty from Joao Felix, was to have been fouled in the 71. Minute. Leipzig, but also by this setback no longer be dissuaded from his path. Tyler Adams scored in the 88. Minute after a beautiful combination with his first goal for Leipzig-2:1.

Michael Horeni

a correspondent for sports in Berlin.

RB its lead then defended with passion in the almost eight minute of stoppage time and now plays on Tuesday (21.00 in F. A. Z.-Liveticker zur Champions League), eleven years after its founding and the Start of the fifth League, against Paris St. Germain in the finals of the European "king's class".

"I'm so proud of the team, to each individual player. Hats off. We were not home, we Packed a suitcase for many days," said striker Marcel Sabitzer then after the final whistle in DAZN, and added: "That was a lot of hard work, but we have shown a top performance."

Leipzig hit the pace

coach Julian nail man had won in the final stage of the Spanish season, the realization that Atlético had lost, according to the numerous Games in a relatively short time, a little bit of energy. He counted against the strong Team of coach Diego Simone, the had defeated in the first round to defending Champions Liverpool FC, with a physical and strength-sapping game. That's why he was with Dani Olmo and Yussuf Poulsen two strong offensive players in the starting line-up – use later with the game-strong Send offensive forces, such as Emil Forsberg and Patrick, the first on the substitutes ' bench, possible gaps in the Madrid Block.

From the beginning, outsider Leipzig expressed in Lisbon on the pace and after 45 minutes was to say that the first part of Nagel's Plan had worked. Leipzig showed in the first half, a sharp and focused appearance, took over again and again, the game control, with long and fast ball relay races. Leipzig had 62 percent possession of the ball, played more passes and had a greater pass rate. However, a decision was occurs, in the end, a shortcoming in the structured and self-conscious Leipzig total: in Front of the gate, it was missing the axles to power, also because it was lacking the last or penultimate Pass to precision.

But, above all, the loss of Timo Werner made his presence felt, his speed and unpredictability, lacked the Leipzig game far more than nail the man had hoped for and perhaps expected. The best Chance in the first half had, therefore, also in Madrid, but the goalkeeper Gulacsi blocked the shot of Carrasco, from a good ten meters to the corner.

After the break, it took only six minutes to Leipzig had corrected his only weakness – the degree of weakness. After a nice turn, cross Sabitzer from the side of the penalty area border, feeling full in the middle, where Olmo headed the Ball with a running start and Overview of the head untenable into the left corner. It Olmos was the third goal in this season's UEFA Champions League, the other two he had scored in the group stage Dinamo Zagreb.