Atalanta players react during the Champions League quarter-final soccer match between Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain, at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. PSG won 2-1. PSG won 2-1. We were so close, really close,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said.Atalanta took the lead at the Stadium of Light thanks to Mario Pašalić’s first-half goal, but Marquinhos equalized in the 90th and Eric Choupo-Moting scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.It was a heartbreaking finish to Atalanta’s first appearance in Europe’s top club competition, one that had grown bigger than sports after the coronavirus killed more than 6,000 in Bergamo.
The northern Italian side fought back to advance to the knockout phase and now finds itself two wins from the final as Italy’s sole remaining representative. For us it’s much more,” Barcella added.Atalanta will get another chance to succeed in the Champions League next season after qualifying again through a third-place finish in Serie A, repeating its best-ever result from a year ago.More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsTales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoniAtalanta players react during the Champions League quarter-final soccer match between Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain, at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. Mitch Freeley. Atalanta’s dream Champions League debut ends in heartbreak. “And in those days, a night, a normal summer night of drinking, of watching a game or watching a movie seemed just like impossible for us in Bergamo. Match Report. Atalanta’s first season in the Champions League began with three group-stage losses. Atalanta Vs PSG - Live Stream. Atalanta have been the entertainers of another gripping Champions League tournament | UEFA - Handout/Getty Images. (Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)Connect with the definitive source for global and local news By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp's partners. (Rafael Marchante/Pool via AP)Atalanta players react during the Champions League quarter-final soccer match between Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain, at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. “Tomorrow, I will be proud of our team and club but at this moment I feel disappointment.”Back in Bergamo, the fans remained fiercely proud of their players — none of whom had left the city in its darkest moment and during one of the strictest lockdowns in the world.A few months ago the people of Lombardy, in which Bergamo is situated, were only allowed to leave their houses for essentials such as food or health emergencies.Fans are still not allowed into the stadium — although some Atalanta supporters had made the trip to Lisbon — but approximately 300 of them were gathered at Edoné, a bar and a cultural space near the team’s stadium.In the balmy evening and under picturesque fairy lights, they wildly celebrated Pašalić’s goal, applauded every save and good move from their players, and grasped their heads in shock and groaned at the late heartbreak.“Atalanta already won and the city already won because five months ago, when Atalanta beat Valencia and we were in our darkest days, a night like tonight looked like impossible back then because we were just feeling the worst moment, fear for our best friends, fear for ourselves, fear for our family,” said 38-year-old Franz Barcella, an Atalanta season ticket holder and the managing partner at Edoné. For Champions League debutants Atalanta, Wednesday's tie provides them the opportunity to test their credentials against one of Europe's powerhouse sides.
They knocked out Valencia in the last 16 in March, just before the coronavirus pandemic forced football around the world to stop. By TALES AZZONI and DANIELLA MATAR August 12, 2020 GMT.
The Frenchman had been a doubt for their Champions League quarter final clash with the Italians after suffering an ankle injury in PSG's Coupe de France final win over St Etienne in July.
This service is not intended for persons residing in the EU. meREWARDS lets you get coupon deals, and earn cashback when you complete surveys, dine, travel and shop with our partners LISBON: Kylian Mbappe will start Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta in Lisbon on Wednesday (Aug 12) as a substitute after battling to shake off an ankle injury.The France World Cup-winning forward had been in a race against time to recover for the game at the Estadio da Luz after being hurt in a crunching tackle in the French Cup final against Saint-Etienne on Jul 24.However, he returned to collective training at the weekend and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said on Tuesday that Mbappe would be available to play a part at the end of the game against the Italians.Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia will start up front ahead of Neymar, while Marquinhos will be flanked by Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gana Gueye in the French champions' midfield.PSG are without the injured Marco Verratti and the suspended Angel Di Maria as they look to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1995.Atalanta are in their first ever Champions League campaign.They knocked out Valencia in the last 16 in March, just before the coronavirus pandemic forced football around the world to stop.Josip Ilicic scored all of the Italians' goals in their 4-3 win in Valencia in the second leg of that tie, but the Slovenian is sidelined here due to personal problems.Alejandro Dario 'Papu' Gomez and Mario Pasalic will play in support of the Colombian Duvan Zapata up front for the Italians.Habitual back-up Marco Sportiello starts in goal with first-choice Pierluigi Gollini absent.Starting line-ups in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain (kick-off 1900 GMT):Marco Sportiello; Rafael Toloi, Mattia Caldara, Berat Djimsiti; Hans Hateboer, Marten de Roon, Remo Freuler, Robin Gosens; Mario Pasalic, Alejandro Dario Gomez (capt); Duvan ZapataKeylor Navas; Thilo Kehrer, Thiago Silva (capt), Presnel Kimpembe, Juan Bernat; Ander Herrera, Marquinhos, Idrissa Gana Gueye; Neymar; Mauro Icardi, Pablo SarabiaIt looks like the email address you entered is not valid.Copyright© Mediacorp 2020. The epilogue of the 2019/20 campaign comes in the shape of the Champions League. Atalanta are in their first ever Champions League campaign.