By David Awopetu
United States international, Tyler Adams, scored an 88th-minute winner to help RB Leipzig shock Atletico Madrid 2-1 and advance to the Champions League semifinals on Thursday, reaching the competition’s last four for the first time in the club’s short history.
After a poor first half, Dani Olmo headed the German side ahead but Atletico substitute Joao Felix levelled the tie from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the box.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Adams snatched victory with a deflected shot from outside the box to set up the semifinal clash with French Champions PSG next Tuesday.
Leipzig came into the tie without the focal point of their attack after Timo Werner’s £54m transfer to Chelsea earlier in the summer.
Werner scored 34 goals for the club this season while the starting XI in their first quarter-final at this level had scored just 44 between them.
A lack of cutting edge was as evident as was expected, with Leipzig’s enterprising approach play all-too-often leading to nothing.
The German side were the only team playing progressive football in a dull first period – and that sense of adventure included centre-back Dayot Upamecano frequently carrying the ball out from a back three and suggesting he is a defensive prospect out of the very top drawer.
Their deserved lead arrived early in the second half when Marcel Sabitzer’s fine cross was met by Olmo’s late surge from midfield and he flicked a header beyond the dive of Atleti’s ever reliable goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.
If Leipzig’s lack of threat was down to the absence of an individual, their opponents’ issues were obviously more systemic.
Former Chelsea striker, Diego Costa, was marooned up front and was bullied by young Frenchman Upamecano at times.
Just as in PSG’s fightback on Wednesday night, though, the introduction of a £100m+ substitute made the difference.
Portugal playmaker, Felix, was excellent as soon as he entered the match and won a penalty with a driving run into the area then confidently converted the penalty.
However any sense of a change in momentum was stymied by Atletico boss, Diego Simeone, who appeared content to play for extra time as he instructed his side who are unbeaten in 18 games to sit in.
But a brilliant pass from the lively Sabitzer freed Angelino into space and after he found Adams, the United States midfielder’s powerful shot flew in off the heels of Stefan Savic past a stranded and helpless Oblak.
