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      RB Leipzig 2 Atletico Madrid 1: Germans don’t miss Werner as deflected Adams strike earns first semi-final spot vs PSG

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      RB LEIPZIG showed they’re not a one-man Timo as they booked their place in the Champions League semi-final after a stunning win against Atletico Madrid.
      Tyler Adams’ late deflected strike saw the Germans cause an upset in Lisbon, where Europe’s elite competition is being completed in an unprecedented knockout-tournament style format.

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      RB Leipzig booked their place into the Champions League semi-final
      Leipzig were, of course, without star striker Timo Werner, who is already preparing for Chelsea’s pre-season but took the lead through Dani Olmo.
      Joao Felix, who started on the bench, scored Atletico’s equaliser from the spot but Adams left them stunned.
      Throughout the uneventful first half, Arsenal transfer target Dayot Upamecano had no problem dealing with ex-Chelsea fans’ favourite Diego Costa, chosen ahead of Alvaro Morata.
      Following a stalemate in the opening 45, Leipzig came out fast and within five minutes of the second half had stunned their LaLiga opposition.

      A Marcel Sabitzer cross on the right wing perfectly set up Spaniard Olmo, who headed home.

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      Leipzig came out fast and within five minutes of the second half had stunned their LaLiga opposition
      Atletico were caught on their heels and manager Diego Simeone was in clear need of some inspiration.
      That task fell to club record signing Felix, who was brought on just before the hour mark and made an immediate impact.
      The Portuguese forward situated himself mainly on the left and got Atletico back into the tie.

      On 70 minuets, after a beautiful one-two with Costa, Felix won a penalty.
      He cooly converted and thought he had set his side on their way to turning the tie on its head.

      But amazingly, with three minutes left Leipzig took another shock lead after Adams’ shot took a wicked deflection to wrong foot Jan Oblak.
      After a beautiful cutback from Manchester City loanee Angelino, Adams effort from outside the box took a nick off Stefan Savic and past a helpless Oblak.
      Despite a late push from Atletico, Leipzig held on for a famous win where they meet PSG, who needed two late goals to beat Atalanta.

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      Joao Felix equalised with a penalty for Atletico

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      Leipzig progress into the semi-final where they play PSG More

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      How Bayern Munich could line up vs Barcelona with Lewandowski looking to outshine Messi and Thiago in possible last game

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      BAYERN MUNICH take on Barcelona in the Champions League ‘final eight’ event’s true heavyweight quarter-final clash.
      The duo are the only two sides remaining in the competition to have previously won it and are set to slug it out on Friday night to determine the last former champion standing.

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      How Bayern could line up against Barcelona

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      Thiago could make his final appearance for Bayern MunichCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Despite the European pedigree of both teams, Bayern go into the tie as favourites – with desperate Barcelona set to even change their tried and trusted tiki-taka tactics in order to try and stifle the German champions.
      But whatever game plan Quique Setien cooks up, Bayern boss Hansi Flick is unlikely to deviate far from the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 that has served his side so well in the second half of this season.
      Given various fitness issues, however, Flick could make one or two tweaks.
      Manuel Neuer has enjoyed something of a return to form this season, and will likely have to be at his seemingly impenetrable best to keep out the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

      With Benjamin Pavard missing with an ankle injury, the versatile Joshua Kimmich will be deployed at right-back, while 2019-20 breakthrough star Alphonso Davies will provide star quality on the left side of defence.
      A series of injuries earlier in the season forced Bayern to experiment with David Alaba as a centre-half – a measure that has proven to be very successful.
      Who partners the Austrian at the back, however, is up for debate.
      Jerome Boateng has regularly done so in recent months, but the former Manchester City defender was forced off with a minor injury against Chelsea last weekend.

      He has trained since, but given how he has been humiliated by Messi in the past, may not be given the nod.
      Instead, Niklas Sule could make his first start since rupturing his cruciate ligament back in October – having made his comeback against Chelsea for the final 27 minutes from the bench.
      Thiago Alcantara appears likely to leave the Allianz Arena this summer, with Manchester City and Liverpool both having entered the £27million race for his signature this summer.

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      Lionel Messi bamboozled Jerome Boateng when these two sides met in 2015Credit: AFP – Getty

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      Niklas Sule could make his first start in ten monthsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But he will still feature for as long as Bayern remain in the Champions League, and will likely start alongside Leon Goretzka at the heart of midfield.
      The fit-again Kingsley Coman could replace Ivan Perisic on the left flank, while Thomas Muller, who provided 21 Bundesliga assists this season, will be preferred to Philippe Coutinho in the middle – with ex-Arsenal star Serge Gnabry on the right.
      Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus recently claimed to Bild that Robert Lewandowski is even better than Messi, and the Polish striker will have a chance to stake his claim for the title of world’s best player as he goes head to head with the Argentine genius.

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      How Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi compare this season

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      How Barcelona could line up vs Bayern with Setien SCRAPPING Tiki-Taka style, Vidal haunting old club and no Griezmann

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      BARCELONA boss Quique Setien is set to ditch the club’s traditional style in order to find a way past Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
      The pair are the only two former winners left in this year’s competition, but Bayern appear to have most people’s backing going into the crunch tie in Lisbon.

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      How Barcelona could line up against Bayern Munich
      Setien was appointed as Ernesto Valverde’s successor back in January with his love of Barcelona’s traditional 4-3-3 philosophy in mind.
      But in order to combat Bayern’s perceived superior fitness and athleticism, he appears set to utilise a 4-4-2 diamond formation on Friday night.
      The game plan will be focused around staying solid and compact, while giving Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez free rein to cause havoc upfront.
      Marc-Andre ter Stegen will likely have a busy night between the sticks, while Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet will have a tough job protecting him – with Samuel Umtiti again missing out through injury and Jean-Clair Todibo having tested positive for Covid-19.

      Full-backs Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba will have important roles in providing width in attack, as well as trying to combat the likes of Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies at the other end.
      Sergio Busquets will have to utilise every ounce of his experience as he anchors Barca’s diamond midfield – despite the vast majority of his previous 578 appearances for the club having come in a trio.
      Sergi Roberto, such a versatile member of Setien’s squad, will likely start to Busquets’ right, while Frenkie de Jong, who was part of the Ajax side that beat Juventus at this stage of last year’s competition, will play to the left.
      The main loser from Setien’s change of system will likely be Antoine Griezmann, with Arturo Vidal set to be the most advanced of the midfield four – the Chilean returning from suspension to feature against his former club.

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      How Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi compare this season

      Upfront will unquestionably be Messi and Suarez, leaving £107million man Griezmann left on the bench.
      Arthur is unavailable after going AWOL ahead of his move to Juventus, although Ivan Rakitic and Riqui Puig will provide midfield reinforcement if necessary.
      Should Setien want to alter his system and turn to wide forwards, Ousmane Dembele may be available again following a long hamstring injury lay-off – and youngster Ansu Fati will also be waiting in the wings.

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      Antoine Griezmann may have to watch on from the sidelinesCredit: Reuters

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      Inside Man City’s plush Champions League hotel retreat with daily yoga sessions, serenity spa and own personal trainers

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been enjoying daily yoga sessions at the five-star Sheraton Cascais Resort ahead of their clash against Lyon.
      The Citizens squad are staying at the hotel just outside of Lisbon as they prepare for Saturday’s Champions League quarter-final match.

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      The Manchester City have been partaking in yoga sessions ahead of their clash against LyonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Raheem Sterling is looking to get his 32nd goal of the season in all competitionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Phil Foden could be named in the starting XI in the Champions League quarter-final tieCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Should they emerge victorious against the French outfit, Pep Guardiola’s men will face either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the last-four.
      As City desperately try and reach their first European Cup final, the squad have been making the most of the activities on offer at the resort.
      The players have been caught on camera engaging in yoga exercises, with the squad snapped in a joyous mood in a number of different positions.
      Along with yoga, the players also have their own personal trainers, while a serenity spa is available for them should they wish to unwind.

      If the players are allowed to leave the resorts premises, then they could enjoy a round of golf nearby, or go surfing at the famous Guincho Beach.
      Many restaurants are available inside the resort as well as a glass terrace, while players can also enjoy the luxury of a half-heated pool and a health club.
      And in a plus for Guardiola and his coaching staff, conference and meeting rooms are located where they can give presentations to the City squad.
      The Sheraton Cascais Resort boasts 156 accommodations from Deluxe Rooms to three Bedroom Suites.

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      Pep Guardiola is looking to guide City into just their second Champions League semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Bernardo Silva has been in inspired form for the Citizens this campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The clash against Lyon could be David Silva’s last game for the clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      City have been staying at the five-star Sheraton Cascais Resort

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      City players can keep fit in the gym located inside the hotel

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      The Sheraton Cascais Resort is located just outside of Lisbon

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      Players can enjoy a meal at the Glass Terrace restaurant inside the resort
      To stay at the plush hotel for one night, it will cost you at least £321 per person.
      If you decide to book five nights at the resort, you will get one of those nights for free.
      Meanwhile if you book seven nights, you will get two for free.

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      The plush hotel costs at least £321-a-night to stay there per person

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      Players can relax in the half-heated pool the resort has to offer

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      Atalanta star Marten de Roon promises pizza for 1,000 people if underdogs beat PSG and win Champions League

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      ATALANTA star Marten De Roon has promised “pizza for a thousand people” if his side win the Champions League this season.
      The Italian underdogs face French moneybags Paris Saint-Germain in tonight’s quarter-final knockout clash.

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      Marten De Roon has promised pizza for a thousand people if Atalanta win the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But after Atalanta finished third in Serie A with 98 goals – the most in the league – many are fancying them for a shock win this evening.
      That’s even despite the entire squad earning LESS than Neymar’s weekly wage of £620,000.
      Atalanta are based in Bergamo, Lombardy – one of Italy’s worst-hit areas when coronavirus struck earlier this year.
      And fans have not been able to watch Gian Piero Gasperini’s men upset the odds since.

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      PSG star Neymar earns more than the entire Atalanta squad combinedCredit: Reuters
      Former Middlesbrough midfielder De Roon, 29, has now vowed to provide pizza for Atalanta supporters after their tough year – but only if the club beat PSG and go on to win the entire tournament.
      The Netherlands international said: “If we win the Champions League there will be pizza for more than a thousand people.
      “However, if we lose, we will try to reach that goal again next year.
      “I can’t support us losing. We will try again next year and we will see how it goes.

      “We can cause an upset, even if it will be difficult. We will give our best.”
      Boss Gasperini echoed De Roon’s sentiments after PSG confirmed a positive coronavirus test at their training ground, adding: “We are proof that even a team with a European heritage can do well and achieve important goals through playing, enthusiasm and other things.
      “We have a responsibility to ourselves not to disappoint. We want to continue to show that Atalanta can sit at the table of the biggest clubs.”

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      Neymar earns more than entire Atalanta squad with eye-watering £620k-a-week wages as PSG star prepares for clash

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      NEYMAR earns more than the entire squad of tonight’s opponents Atalanta put together.
      The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 28, is on a staggering £620,000 per week following his world-record transfer from Barcelona in 2017.

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      Neymar earns approximately £32.2m per year in wages, more than the entire Atalanta squad put togetherCredit: Reuters
      That sees him earn around £32.2million in a year, according to L’Equipe.
      And incredibly, the whole Atalanta team put together earn just shy of that figure, with La Gazzetta dello Sport recording a total earning of between £30m and £32m.
      Neymar is by far PSG’s top earner with his mammoth £620k weekly wages.
      Kylian Mbappe is next on around £280,000 per week – or £14.5m a year – with Thiago Silva, whose contract is up at the end of the season, on £190,000 per week, which equates to just shy of £10m across the year.

      When Mauro Icardi’s wages are taken into consideration, PSG’s front three earn approximately £50m per year.
      DAVID VS GOLIATH
      In comparison, Atalanta’s three top earners pocket a far-more-modest £4.5m per year between them.
      Captain Alejandro Gomez, Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel are each on £1.5m across the calendar year, working out as around £29,000 per week.
      So by Champions League quarter-final standards, it is a David and Goliath match up in Lisbon tonight.

      Neymar’s PSG are the heavy favourites, especially with Kylian Mbappe potentially fit and available after an ankle injury.
      Victory would see the French champions progress into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history.
      But for debutants Atalanta, they will be hoping to cause an upset and reach the final four.

      And they will certainly pose a threat in attack, even without Josip Ilicic available at the Estadio da Luz.
      Midfielder Marco Verratti is expected to miss the game with a calf injury while Angel Di Maria is suspended.
      PSG had worrying news when a player tested positive for coronavirus at the club’s training ground 24 hours before the match but it is not thought to have affected the first team who had already left for Portugal.

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      Atalanta’s top-earning trio earn around £4.5m per year compared to the £57m pocketed by Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Thiago SilvaCredit: AFP – Getty

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      Andrea Pirlo chose Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in his dream XI and used to pick Barcelona on the Playstation

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      ANDREA PIRLO once snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo in favour of Lionel Messi in a dream XI – and always picked Barcelona on the PlayStation.
      The legendary Italian may have an awkward conversation in pre-season, though, after taking over as Juventus boss.

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      Andrea Pirlo picked his dream XI in 2015 and there was no space for Cristiano Ronaldo, who he will now manage at JuventusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Pirlo, 41, replaced Maurizio Sarri at the Allianz Stadium and his first job may be to make peace with superstar Ronaldo – especially after describing Messi as “the best”.
      He played against both Messi and Ronaldo during his illustrious playing career but was certain when asked who the toughest he faced was, choosing the Barcelona skipper.
      And then in an Instagram post sharing a picture with the Argentine in 2015, Pirlo wrote: “A great meeting with the best…”
      He even admitted whenever playing video-game football with Alessandro Nesta during their days at AC Milan, he always chose the Nou Camp club.

      Pirlo said: “After the wheel, the best invention is the PlayStation.
      “Me against Nesta was a clasico of our time at Milanello. We’d get in early, have breakfast at 9 then close ourselves off in our room to challenge each other, train, have lunch and then it was back in our room again until 4 in the afternoon.
      “Our battles were pure adrenaline. I chose Barcelona, Sandrino did too. Barca against Barca.”

      But asked to fulfil his dream XI from players to have played in the Champions League, there was no spot in the side for Ronaldo.
      Admittedly this was five years ago and since then the Portuguese hero has won another three European titles and broke numerous goalscoring records, now sitting proudly at the top of the all-time chart with 130 goals.
      But with no Ronaldo, here is two-time winner Pirlo’s Champions League dream team from 2015…
      Gianluigi Buffon
      Now his boss at Juventus, Pirlo played alongside and against one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time – his only blot is not winning the Champions League.
      Pirlo said: “He has been at the top for so long. He makes saves that no other goalkeeper in the world can make. He knows how to command the defence and give confidence to them.”
      Cafu
      The Brazilian full-back redefined the position with his threat going forward as well as in defence and led his country to World Cup glory in 2002.
      Pirlo’s assesment: “Trend-setting in being one of the first truly great attacking full backs. Excellent at getting forward, but very strong defensively as well.”
      Paolo Maldini
      Another AC Milan hero, another iconic figure in Italian – and world football – winning five European Cups and reaching a further three finals.
      Pirlo commented: “A defender who could read the game like nobody else, so intelligent and always so calm on the ball. One of the true greats, for both Italy and Milan.”
      Fabio Cannavaro
      Will forever be remembered for lifting the World Cup in 2006 and another of the Azzurri clan who just loved defending.
      Pirlo said: “A true leader that didn’t need to ask for respect, but naturally got it. Without doubt one of the best central defenders to have ever played.”

      Philipp Lahm
      Lahm was one of the most solid, consistent performers in his 517 Bayern Munich and 113 Germany appearances, again topped off by lifting the World Cup.
      Pirlo said: “One of those players who never makes mistakes, always so reliable for Germany and Bayern. Probably doesn’t always get the credit, because it’s just so normal for him to be playing at such a high level now.”
      Gennaro Gattuso
      The tough-tackling, no-nonsense midfielder was perfect foil for Pirlo, allowing the pass maestro to strut his stuff and pull the strings.
      Pirlo’s review: “Rino is the opposition’s nightmare. Even in a training game, he plays like it is the World Cup final. The style of his game allows his team-mates time on the ball. Every team needs a Gattuso.”
      Xavi
      Everyone knows all about Xavi’s quality, as the metronome in a Barcelona side that ticked better than most.
      Pirlo added: “Another intelligent midfield player. Didn’t need to spend the whole time running but would control so many games for Barcelona and Spain with his intelligence and range of passing.”

      Paul Scholes
      Played out on the left for England, Scholes was at his best pinging the ball around from the middle of the park – and hitting the odd wondergoal.
      Pirlo’s verdict: “The truly great English midfield player of the generation. Didn’t just play the game, he thought about the game. You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding.”
      Kaka
      AC Milan won the 2007 Champions League – and a large part of that was down to the Brazilian’s excellence.
      Pirlo said: “I remember how badly we took it as a team when Kaka left Milan. For two or three years he was the best player in the world. There was a point when teams just had no idea how to stop him.”
      Lionel Messi
      The winner of four Champions Leagues, six Ballons d’Or and countless other honours and awards, Messi is regarded as the greatest of all time by many, including Pirlo.
      Pirlo gushed: “Has achieved so much, but still I am sure will achieve so much more. I don’t need to talk in detail about what he is capable of. Everybody knows he is one of the greatest ever already.”

      Fillipo Inzaghi
      A lethal finisher inside the box, Inzaghi is one of the best strikers Italy have produced over the years.
      Pirlo lauded: “Just the perfect goal scorer. We had this most incredible understanding. We did not even have to look for each other. He knew what pass I would make and I knew where he would be. You gave him a chance and he would take it.”

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      Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the greatest footballer ever – including by PirloCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Pirlo hailed Kaka for his instrumental performances as AC Milan won. the Champions League in 2007Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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