PSG beat Atalanta 2-1 at Estádio da Luz as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the injury time winner. Previously Pasalic had given the Italian side 1-0 lead, which Marquinhos neutralised at the end of regular time.
1. Two of the most attacking sides in World Football
It was a great contest that one can hope to see in a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, between two most attacking sides of world football. Nobody, apart from statisticians, expected the match to be dragged into extra-time for a result and that’s exactly what happened.
Atalanta had scored 2.58 goals per match in the domestic league, only their quarterfinal opponents (PSG scored 2.78 goals per Ligue 1 match) in Champions League, are few of the clubs which have a better average.
2. Thomas Tuchel
Paris Saint-Germain started with an obvious disadvantage of going against their usual formation. They had to start with their most prolific player Kylian Mbappe on the bench due to injury and Angel Maria due to suspension. They did not have Edinson Cavani, Thomas Meunier either to rescue, as they left the club in July.
Thomas Touchel had a difficult time. Without two of his most dependable star cast, he changed formation, giving Nemar a central role and putting Icardi at right. Sarabia operated from left. Marquinhos was also brought in as defensive midfielder.
3. Gian Gasperini
Atalanta had almost pipped Inter Milan for the second spot in Serie A. They played attractive football and were unstoppable in Serie A as well as Champions League this season. In their day Gian Gasperini side can rip off any team in the world.
But the Italian manager assembled his side with those players who were almost rejected from other European giants.
