Have you ever turned your dreams into reality? PSG, QSI, and co. are 90 minutes away from doing just that. For RB Leipzig, it was ultimately a step too far, but they can take great pride from their Champions League adventure. Let’s take a look at how PSG became the first Champions League finalist in 2020. 

The game started fairly evenly, with both teams feeling each other out. PSG had made significant changes, with Mbappé replacing Sarabia and Di María replacing Icardi, moving Neymar into a false 9 position with Di María on the right, reminiscent of Leo Messi and Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. This move allowed Tuchel to bring the influential Argentine back into the team, as well as letting Neymar play where he loves to, without sacrificing width. Paredes also came in for Gueye, giving PSG more fluidity on the ball in the middle third of the pitch. 

The interplay between Mbappé and Neymar is usually spectacular and that was the case again, as Mbappé’s lovely reverse through ball found Neymar one-on-one with Gulácsi, only to find the post rather than the back of the net. This was the first significant chance either side had made, but there were more to come. From a freekick on the left hand side of the box, Di María whipped in a lovely ball which was met by Marquinhos to give PSG the lead. A huge goal to settle any Parisian nerves.

However, RB Leipzig soon had their best chance of the game. Great work from Olmo released Laimer down the right hand side, who managed to get away from the PSG defence and get into the box. His smart cut back was aimed perfectly at Poulson, who couldn’t sort his feet out and hit the shot wide. In the context of the game it was a huge chance, and one RB Leipzig would come to rue later on. 

Neymar’s audacious attempt from a freekick to surprise Gulácsi at his near post was almost perfect and struck the near post, but his best was yet to come. Following good pressing from PSG and a horribly misplaced pass by the Leipzig ‘keeper, Paredes fired a pass towards Neymar in the box. With the ball at calf height, Neymar, with cat like grace, managed to flick the ball with the inside of his leg behind himself to Di María, who was left with a simple task to slot past Gulácsi. 

It was a moment of pure artistry, and a riposte to any who believe we don’t need players like Neymar. It was an example of the game being played at its instinctive best; Neymar, when in top form, embodies the Joga Bonito spirit of Ronaldinho before him, and that makes him one of the most watchable players the game has ever seen. 

This passage of play did highlight another key area of the game: PSG’s willingness to press the ball high up the pitch. With RB Leipzig attempting to play through the thirds, this gave PSG the opportunity to steal the ball off them. Not a team known for their work rate off the ball, Tuchel deserves great credit for coaxing this out of his team. This press makes PSG a much, much tougher opponent to play against, as not only do you have to worry when they have the ball, you now have to be just as concerned when playing out from the back, as shown by the second goal. What defence in World Football wouldn’t get nightmares at the prospect of Mbappé, Neymar and Di María running at them? RB Leipzig not only chose to play a deeper game and not press PSG high, but also to play out from the back. That PSG chose today to showcase this newfound side to their game was unfortunate to say the least for Julien Nagelsmann. 

This was swiftly rectified at the beginning of the 2nd half. Along with a switch to 3 at the back, RB Leipzig started the half on the front foot, pressing PSG high, and gained a foothold in the game. PSG initially struggled to keep hold of the ball, but Leipzig just couldn’t quite create a clear cut chance. Angelinho on the left looked a threat as they ventured forward, but PSG responded well to Leipzig’s first period of sustained pressure in the game. 

RB Leipzig’s attacking thrust petered out, and their naiveté at the back cost them. Mukiele seemed to have everything under control when he had the ball near the corner flag, but he fell after an innocuous challenge from Herrera, and the ball fell for Di María who crossed for an unmarked Bernat to hammer home the final nail in the coffin. That Mukiele fell is strange, but that he stayed down to protest ultimately cost his team another goal, as he clearly played Bernat onside. These moments of inexperience are punished severely, as PSG themselves have found out the hard way in the past. 

This run to the final has seen PSG come up against sides who are new to this level, and all of a sudden the experience factor has worked in their favour. Their last gasp heroics vs Atalanta seems to have sparked their confidence, and rather than fixate on past failings, has enabled them to look towards a dream previously thought unattainable for this set of players. It would be remiss of me to paint this PSG team as plucky underdogs, but a team can only suffer so many humiliating defeats before all confidence and belief drain away, and even passionate fans scoff at the underperformance. 

Neither side is one of European Football’s darlings due to their meteoric rises, but RB Leipzig have come a long way. This is their first ever Champions League Semi Final, 11 years after their formation; that is an inconceivably short amount of time, and they should be proud of their progress. How different could this game have been if Timo Werner wasn’t already a member of Chelsea’s squad? We’ll never know. They should take heart from their endeavours this year nonetheless.

Last night, however, was all about Paris Saint-Germain FC. They are one game away from winning their first ever Champions League. One game away from establishing themselves as European royalty. One game away from immortality. They can now sit back and watch as events unfold tonight. With the game well won with a long time to go, there should be ample time both mentally and physically to prepare for the biggest game in the club’s history. Whether this is the start of consistent European success or the best chance they’ll ever have, they will be determined to seize the moment on Sunday night.