When Atalanta and Paris Saint Germain kick things off at Estádio da Luz tonight, we’ll be heading towards the latest European Cup conclusion in the history of the tournament. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta are the first debutants to have made it this far in the Champions League after Leicester City and Lazio, and they will only better their record if they go past Thomas Tuchel’s PSG tonight.
However, in a season that has had an equal amount of twists and turns both in and out of the pitch, we might be up for more with the series of knockout quarter final clashes happening at Portugal starting today. In this coverage of UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals, we’ll have a brief look at less-known things that make each clash special on its own.
The one to look out for – Atalanta vs. PSG
In recent seasons, barely any European club has spent more than PSG in the transfer market. The Parisians’ aim of making a European impact have failed in the past years despite putting a healthy investment to achieve the feat, and tonight might finally be their serious road to achieving that feat.
On their way to the advanced stages, lie one of the most exciting sides of 2019/20, Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio. In contrast to PSG, they are the least-spending sides left in the Champions League now. With a combined team effort that has sustained throughout the season, not only did Gasperini’s side make it this far in the competition, but did it in style. With astounding 111 goals scored in total this season, the side promises to put up a show tonight as well.
This will be the first meeting between Atalanta and PSG ever. Atalanta have only faced a French club at the European level once, when they knocked out Lyon during the 2017/18 Europa League Campaign. Similarly, PSG’s record against Italian sides don’t go in their favor, as the side has never won a single game against an Italian opposition in UEFA Champions League. In six instances that PSG have faced an Italian opposition, they’ve drawn twice and lost four matches. In addition, PSG have not managed to keep a single clean-sheet in each of those occasions.
PSG have reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2015/16 season, and haven’t made it to the top-four since 1994/95 season. Also, this will be the first instance in UCL knockouts when both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are set to start together.
From Josip Iličić’s personal problems that will keep him out of this clash to Thomas Tuchel’s injury that’ll see him manage PSG players with a cast in his leg, this clash will definitely be a treat for neutral football fans to start their UCL quarter-finals with.
The clash of two different poles – RB Leipzig vs. Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have long established themselves as the defending mafias of European football – not many teams can unlock their compact defence. On the other hand, Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig are constructing a legacy backed by their high-tempo attacking brand of football. For modern football that is polarized into two halves – defensive and attacking philosophies, this clash will be a treat to watch.
Off-the-field matters of this clash have already been quite entangled, as two Atletico players tested positive in the last round of tests before Simeone’s side flew to Portugal. Sime Vrsaljko and Ángel Correa miss out on the clash due to COVID infection, and Atletico have managed to get other players in their flight with negative reports.
On the other hand, one of Nagelsmann’s key weapons this season, Timo Werner has already traveled to be with his future club Chelsea and won’t be available for this clash. The young manager will definitely look to adapt with the changes and continue his high-pressing and intense tactical traits. This will be the first occasion in which RB Leipzig will go head-to-head with a Spanish side in European Competition and with three clean sheets out of their last five clashes, the Germans will be looking to pin Atletico down.
Atletico have always managed to progress against German opposition in the Champions League, and it will be up for us to see if they manage to repeat that again in this polarizing clash of philosophies.
Messi magic vs. Mighty Bavarians – Bayern Munich vs. FC Barcelona
Bayern Munich have been a force at European stage this season. Facing Barcelona after hammering Chelsea in the Round of 16 fixtures, Robert Lewandowski-led Bavarians are a tough challenge for Barcelona, who are still struggling to make a mark of their own standards. Quique Setien’s side managed to win over Napoli comfortably at the Camp Nou with a 3-1 outcome, but not many were convinced with the way they played.
Despite this being their 13th consecutive quarter-finals appearance, Barcelona might be up for their biggest challenge in their recent history at this stage of competition. Hansi Flick’s Bayern have managed to gel-up and evolve as a team full of high-end players at every single position and will go into this clash as the favorite for many. The only solid objection that lies in Bayern’s way, and will again look to haunt them, will be Barcelona’s beloved skipper Lionel Messi.
Bayern will be pushing to match Barcelona’s 2014/15 Champions League run of 9 consecutive wins and advance forward. It’ll be interesting to see the approach that Barcelona will carry against the Bavarians, especially after failing to record a single shot against Napoli in the second half at the Camp Nou. The goal will still be the same for Barcelona, they’ll be looking to create an environment to free-up Messi, letting him do the damage. What makes this dangerous, however, is that Barcelona will have to ensure they don’t let Bayern’s pacey attack dig their defence down at the same time.
All in all, you don’t often see a Barcelona side going as underdogs in a European fixture. The tables have turned this time, however, and it will be interesting to see if Messi leads them to break the shambles and put them atop again.
The Giant killers meet – Manchester City vs. Lyon
Lyon pulled off an astounding victory against Juventus to qualify, a triumph that ended Sarri’s Turin reign. Similarly, Manchester City beat Real Madrid convincingly to come into the last eight and look to be one of serious contenders this time around. This can be termed as a clash of the giant killers and Manchester City are the giants to look for against Lyon.
This is Lyon’s first appearance at the European quarter finals since 2009/10 season, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are making their fourth quarter finals appearance in the last five years. However, they’ve only progressed once in the last three quarter finals, knocking out PSG in 2015/16. If City manage to progress this time, an English team will make its way to the Champions League top four for the third consecutive year.
Alternatively, Rudi Garcia’s Lyon remain unbeaten in their last four clashes against English sides with two draws and two victories. The side pulled off a draw and a win against Manchester City in last year’s Champions League group stages, motivating them to bolster their chances in this clash. In addition, Memphis Depay will look to inspire his side yet again, after helping them register a win against Juventus past week. After a miserable 7th place finish in scrapped Ligue 1 season, they’ll seek a take away this season, and this clash against City might be a perfect start on their way to maiden European glory.
The battles start tonight. On paper, PSG are the favorites for the night against Atalanta, who possess a wage bill equivalent to Neymar’s individual wages. But, the course of action that has happened, limiting Champions League knockouts to be one legged and behind closed doors, the ties that we have on cards will be expected to provide some surprise, if not, amuse everyone with some quality football.