Leipzig Shock the System by Advancing to UEFA Champions League Final

Leipzig have arrived on the big stage with a major win over Atletico Madrid and advancing to the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The win exemplified years of work that the East German club has made towards legitimizing their process and now have the ability to put themselves among the giants of Europe.

"You couldn't write a better story," said long-time striker Yussuf Poulsen. "It is a huge day and an amazing moment - we have to enjoy it. Another fantastic game is around the corner. We were the better team and are deservedly through to the semi-final."

Leipzig were certainly the better side, showing that they can break down one of the staunchest defenses in Europe. Madrid are multiple time Champions League finalists and have lifted the Europa League in recent years. One of Leipzig's biggest criticisms over the past few years has been their inability to defeat top teams. In the last two rounds that has changed with wins over Tottenham Hotspur and now Atletico Madrid.

Even more impressive was that this was done without star striker Timo Werner. The team changed formation and appeared more patient in attack. Their build up was strong and passing was incisive. Both goals came in the second half from unlikely sources. Dani Olmo's header early in the second half was his first for the club in international play and Tyler Adams' in the 88th minute was the same.

"We defended with a lot of passion," said head coach Julian Nagelsmann. "We were the better team against a very good and experienced side. We were brilliant."

Next up is a different test. Paris Saint Germain are a club that has under-performed at this level but is looking to fulfill a promise made to fans nearly a decade ago. The team has some of the highest paid talent in the world but struggled to dispatch Atalanta in the quarterfinal. Tuesday, Leipzig will need to continue their strong play in order to topple Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

"Paris Saint Germain are a top-level side with a top-notch coach. They have a lot of quality and are a threat right until the final minute. You saw that during the match against Atalanta. They have a star-studded squad. We will need to give it 100 percent, but we are looking forward to the match and will go in highly motivated."

Comments

Red Bulls Acquire Midfielder Frankie Amaya from FC Cincinnati

photo by Matt Kremkau The rumors have become reality as Frankie Amaya has become a New York Red Bulls player. The news comes after Amaya signs a new deal with New York following a trade from FC Cincinnati for $500 thousand in allocation money this season and $450 thousand in 2022. "We are very pleased to complete this deal," said Director of Sport Kevin Thelwell. "Frankie is a player we've watched closely, and we are confident that his skills and attributes are a good fit for our philosophy and style of play. We look forward to getting him into our environment and achieving success together in the years ahead." The 20 year-old midfielder was the first overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and played in 40 total games for FC Cincinnati, scoring one goal over that time. Amaya was also a major part of the US Men's National Team U20's Concacaf Championship win in 2018. The potential is there and his age and ability match the direction New York has taken o...

Tolkin and Edelman Called into Olympic Camp

photo by Matt Kremkau by Anthony J. Merced New York Red Bulls homegrown players John Tolkin and Daniel Edelman have been called into the US Olympic training camp ahead of friendlies later in the month. Tolkin, 21 years-old, has been called into Gregg Berhalter's camps in the past while Edelman will be making his first trip to the national level. Tolkin, now entering his fifth year as a New York Red Bulls player, has experience with the national team going all the way back to 2018 with the US Under 17 team. In 2023, he played four games for the Under 23 team and four games for the main national team as well. While he isn't a first choice pick yet, Tolkin's consistency hasn't gone unnoticed by US Soccer scouts and another solid showing could see him inch closer to a starting position. For Edelman it will be is first selection to such a camp. His experience with the Under 20's was extensive as he helped the team win the U20 Concacaf Championship in 2022. That tournamen...

Editorial: New York Red Bulls are Fun to Watch

photo by Matt Kremkau by Daniel Feuerstein The New York Red Bulls 2024 season starts off and running. In their first three matches, they have looked different from their last five to six seasons of doom and despair when trying to attack or have a lapse in judgment on the defensive end. The two big editions for the club are undoubtedly the imports from Sweden in Centerback Noah Elle & attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg. Two players who are a part of the Swedish National Team have started off well in Major League Soccer. We all knew what we were getting right away from Forsberg. A high-energy creative and attacking midfielder who was already bought in from day one, when Director of Sport Jochen Schneider went to Leipzig and brought him over. He was already committed to making the trip to the United States to play his brand of soccer, and so far he hasn't disappointed. Even though he has come close three times off of free kicks, hitting the crossbar twice and being saved by the ke...

Red Bull News Network

Search This Blog