Julian Nagelsmann is showing respect for UEFA Champions League semifinal opponent Paris Saint Germain but that doesn't mean he doesn't have faith in his club. Leipzig have put themselves into a position where expectations are high even if against a team that has the talent of PSG.
"They (PSG) attack in a different way to Atletico," said Nagelsmann. "They have unbelievable quality and some outstanding individual footballers."
That individualism has been a detriment to PSG in the past. Playes like Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Kylian Mbappe have yet to find a fluidity in their play. Success in Ligue 1 has come easily but the team has yet to produce consistently on an international stage. Their quarterfinal game against Atalanta was a prime example as Neymar missed key opportunities to put the game away early.
Leipzig is a different club. They are are not star-laden and instead play with singular, attack-minded purpose. Despite not having Timo Werner or their new signee Hwang Hee-chan, the team was able to score twice and press one of the better sides in La Liga over 90 minutes.
In spite of this, Nagelsmann is aware that PSG manager Thomas Tuchel is tactically savy. You don't progress to a position like his without knowing football or having the ability to get a team with that much talent over the hump.
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