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Paris Saint-Germain booked a place in their first-ever Champions League final with a comprehensive 3-0 win over German side RB Leipzig in their semi-final encounter. Goals from Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria (who set up the other two) and Juan Bernat saw the French side progress to the final, while Leipzig bowed out with their heads held high after a remarkable Champions League run.
The first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs began with PSG in the ascendancy, having a goal disallowed due to handball before taking the lead in the 13th minute. Marquinhos headed home Di Maria’s wicked cross from the edge of the six-yard box to put PSG in front - his second goal in as many matches.
After a period of end-to-end action gave way to more sedate proceedings, a huge error from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi gifted PSG a second goal. The Hungarian’s pass out from the back was seized upon in midfield and fizzed to Neymar, whose excellent cushioned touch set up Di Maria to finish past Gulacsi.
Despite enjoying an encouraging start to the second half, Leipzig saw themselves go further behind in the 56th minute, with Bernat heading home Di Maria’s cross from close range. The ball nestled in the side netting despite Gulacsi getting a touch and the tie was all but over before the hour mark.
3-0 was how it finished, with PSG marching on to face either Bayern Munich or Lyon in the final, while Leipzig head home to prepare for another Bundesliga campaign. However, on a night where PSG’s superstars were in full flow, here are the hits and flops from their semi-final win.
Hits and Flops from PSG's 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in their semi-final encounter
#5 Hit: Dayot Upamecano
While the result did not go his side’s way, Dayot Upamecano’s individual showing will only serve to enhance his burgeoning reputation across Europe’s elite clubs. Playing in the centre of Leipzig’s young, physical, but inexperienced back three, the young Frenchman had to use every bit of his pace and physicality to keep his compatriot Kylian Mbappe in check.
Upamecano even got the chance to showcase his ability on the ball, passing the ball out from the back calmly and accurately on a number of occasions.
Despite being on the losing side, Upamecano and the equally impressive Nordi Mukiele were among a few positives that Julian Nagelsmann can take from this performance and their run in the Champions League. The youngster earned rave reviews for his incredibly mature displays in crucial matches.
#4 Flop: Kevin Kampl
Deployed in the centre of midfield to provide attacking impetus to the German side, Kampl was largely ineffective throughout the duration of his time on the pitch. With PSG largely dominating possession and quickly winning the ball back after losing it, the Slovenian was unable to influence the Bundesliga side’s play.
A few sloppy losses of possession in and around the halfway line did not help his cause either, as he was subbed off in the 64th minute for Tyler Adams.
#3 Hit: Neymar
Another hugely influential performance from PSG’s Brazilian superstar, with a goal being the only thing missing from a truly dazzling display. Neymar was unlucky to hit the same post twice in the first half, one from a tight angle from close range and the other from an audacious free-kick attempt from long range.
His cushioned flick to set up Di Maria for the second goal was absolutely sublime, as was some of his dribbling. PSG would be hoping that he has been saving his goals for the final, having fluffed a number of presentable chances in the preceding games. Neymar does look to be in frightening form ahead of the showpiece event.
#2 Flop: Peter Gulacsi
Normally one of the most reliable members of the RB Leipzig side, Gulacsi chose the wrong occasion to put in an unconvincing and uncharacteristically nervous display. One of the Hungarian’s first involvements saw him hit a clearance straight at Neymar. Mbappe consequently tucked home the rebound, only to see it disallowed as the ball struck the Brazilian’s hand.
However, this seemed to rattle Gulacsi, who ended up gifting the opponents a goal just before half-time. His risky pass out into midfield was intercepted and lofted back into the box by Neymar to set Di Maria up for PSG's second goal as the Leipzig defence was caught off guard.
He even got a lot behind Bernat’s effort for the third goal only to see it somehow cross the line, a clear indication if one were needed that it was really not his night.
#1 Hit: Angel Di Maria
No stranger to shining on the big stage, Di Maria was a welcome returnee to the PSG starting lineup. The Argentine showed exactly what PSG had been missing in their narrow quarter-final win over Atalanta. Di Maria was excellent in his role on the right of PSG’s formidable front three and exerted his influence on proceedings right from the start.
His pinpoint free-kick was headed in by Marquinhos for the first goal in the 13th minute, while his incisive passing and mesmeric dribbling caused havoc in the Leipzig defence.
He then proceeded to get on the scoresheet himself, tucking a tidy finish into the bottom corner just before half-time after being set up wonderfully by Neymar. Di Maria then completed a hat-trick of goal involvements by setting up Bernat for PSG's third goal before being replaced by Pablo Sarabia in the 87th minute.
Since making his debut for PSG in August 2015, Di Maria has registered 89 assists in all competitions, second only to compatriot Lionel Messi (101) in Europe’s top five leagues on that list.
Only Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have provided more assists in the Champions League than Di Maria since his debut in the competition in 2007. In that time, Di Maria has also scored in 17 different Champions League matches without losing a single one of them.
