UEFA Champions League: Leipzig to face PSG in semis
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann says he is relishing facing former mentor and Paris Saint Germain coach Thomas Tuchel in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals tomorrow following his side's stunning win over Atletico Madrid on Friday.
Leipzig, who were only founded in 2009, booked a semi-final berth at their first attempt in the knock-out stages when US midfielder Tyler Adams hit an 88th-minute winner.
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It sealed the Germans' win after a Joao Felix penalty for Atletico had cancelled out Dani Olmo's header for Leipzig early in the second half.
Leipzig now face PSG next Tuesday, also in Lisbon, for a place in the 23 August final.
It was PSG's German coach Tuchel, 46, who gave Nagelsmann his first break at Augsburg 12 years ago as a scout which saw him then become a coach.
“They are a top team with a top trainer,” said the 33-year-old Nagelsmann, whose playing career was ended in 2008 by a knee injury.
“I have often played (as a coach) against him (Tuchel) but rarely won.
“That should change now. I would also be satisfied with a bad game if we win,” Nagelsmann added.
When coach of his former club Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann lost twice and drew against Tuchel, who was then in charge of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga between 2016 and 2017.
Nagelsmann was full of praise for PSG, who came back against Atalanta on Wednesday to win after scoring two late goals.
“They are a team full of stars,” Nagelsmann added, referring to Neymar and fellow PSG forward Kylian Mbappe.
“You could see yesterday at the end what quality they have.
“Angel di Maria is coming back, Mbappe will be fit enough to play from the beginning.
“It's clear that we need another top performance to get into the final.”