Barcelona appoint Ronald Koeman as the new coach PAGE 14 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020 Paris Saint-Germain storm into Champions League final in style Paris Saint-Germain supporters react at a cafe terrace in Paris as they watch the UEFA Champions League semi-final played in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. (AFP) Paris Saint-Germain supporters react and play a drum in Paris as they Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate with Brazilian defender Marquinhos after he scored scoring the team’s opening goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final against watch the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Leipzig and Leipzig at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. PSG now await the winner of the second semis between Bayern Munich and Lyon to be played on Wednesday. (AFP) PSG, played in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. (AFP) Marquinhos (13’), Angel Di Maria (42’) and Juan Bernat Velasco (56’) strike a goal each in 3-0 humbling of Leipzig in Lisbon DPA were far less troubled by in- first semi-final berth in 1995 against Atalanta, and di Ma- nied by the outside right post presence felt, with Marcel Sab- area and the Brazilian flicked LISBON experienced Leipzig behind but now it all came together ria was back from suspension in the sixth after a perfect itzer’s free-kick deflected over the ball on with his heel for di closed doors at the Estadio as they became only the fifth as they replaced Marco Icardi through-ball from Mbappe the bar and captain Yussuf Maria to slot into the bottom PARIS Saint-Germain were da Luz than they were in the French league team to reach and Pablo Sarabia. and a minute later a goal not Poulsen firing just wide. right corner. on fire on Tuesday as they quarter-finalswhere they had the final of the elite event – Sergio Rico meanwhile given because a bad clearance But on the other end Ney- Neymar aimed inches right crushed RB Leipzig 3-0 to trailed Atalanta until the 90th with the lone title coming deputised in goal for injured from goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi mar almost surprised the Ger- on another top opportunity reach the Champions League minute before winning 2-1. from Olympique Marseille in Keylor Navas and Leandro had hit Neymar’s arm before mans when he didn’t cross a but the third eventually came final for the first time. PSG have amassed 40 1993. Paredes came on for not fully falling to Mbappe to hit into free-kick from way out on the the 56th when Mukiele slipped Angel di Maria scored once French titles and the 1996 Eu- PSG will return to the Es- fitI drissa Gueye in midfield. the net. right into the penalty area as and di Maria crossed to the di- and set up the other goals from ropean Cup Winners Cup title tadio da Luz on Sunday to Leipzig coach Julian The favourites broke the expected but tried his luck di- minutive Bernat whose glanc- Marquinhos and Juan Bernat but Champions League suc- meet Olympique Lyon or Bay- Nagelsmann made just one deadlock in the 13th when rect and was denied again by ing header went into the far as the star-studded Parisians cess has been their top prior- ern Munich who contest the change compared to the sur- Marquinhos was left un- the outside right post. right corner. tormented Leipzig’s defence ity ever since they came under other French-German semi- prise 2-1 win over Atletico marked to head home di Ma- PSG threatened with al- Mpabbe headed wide and with their attacking might led Qatari ownership in 2011 and final on Wednesday. Madrid, with Nordi Mukiele ria’s free-kick from the left most every attack and got their had a shot saved by Gulacsi by Neymar and Kylian Mbap- hundreds of millions were in- Mbappe returned into the in for Marcel Halstenberg in into the far corner. second in the 41st. Another as PSG comfortably cruised pe who were also outstanding vested to fulfil this ambition. starting 11 of Thomas Tuchel’s defence. Leipzig, playing only their poor clearance from Gulacsi home to move within one vic- on the night. There were many fail- team from an ankle injury af- PSG were in command second Champions League ended up with Paredes who tory of the trophy they want to The French champions ures over the years after a ter being only used as a sub right away, with Neymar de- campaign, finally made their instantly fed Neymar in the lift so badly. Second semi-final: Lyon vs Bayern Munich Coach Flick trusts Bayern Munich to Lyon want to be ‘little stone in ‘start from scratch’ and see off Lyon shoe’ to make Bayern stumble AFP League’s top-scorer this sea- DPA LISBON son on 14 goals -- three short LISBON of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record. BAYERN Munich coach Hansi Bayern winger Serge Gna- OLYMPIQUE Lyon want to Flick trusts his side to forget bry, who has seven so far in continue their giant-killing their demolition of Barcelona the competition, including ways on Wednesday against and “start from scratch” when four in the 7-2 thrashing of Bayern Munich although they they face French giant-killers Tottenham away in the group know full well that they are Lyon in Wednesday’s Champi- stages, says they must not un- outsiders in the Champions ons League semi-final. derestimate Lyon. League semi-final. Bayern marked themselves “I think we were all sur- Lyon reached the last four as favourites to lift the trophy prised by the end result for only second time when they by hammering Barcelona 8-2 (against Barcelona), but Lyon beat Juventus in the last 16 and in their quarter-final last Fri- will be a different opponent in Manchester City in the quarter- day when Thomas Mueller a different game,” said Gnabry finals, and hope for something and Philippe Coutinho both “They’ve beaten Juventus similar against the five-time scored twice. and Manchester City - both champions from Germany. The shockwaves are still Bayern Munich’s players attend a training session at the Jose Alvalade those teams were favourites. It “We are not a high moun- Lyon’s French midfielder Houssem Aouar attends a training session at being felt in Barcelona where stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday on the eve of the UEFA looks like we’re favourites now tain but a little stone in the shoe the Restelo training ground in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. (AFP) both coach Quique Setien and Champions League semi-final against Lyon. (AFP) and we have to be careful.” that can make you stumble,” sports director Eric Abidal Flick knows what to expect coach Rudi Garcia told a virtual the have no weak point but no the deciding goals in Saturday’s have been sacked. Flick takes confidence from against Barcelona. Less from Lyon coach Rudi Garcia. news conference on Tuesday. team is perfect. 3-1 against City. Following that jaw-drop- the “very good atmosphere” and than 100 percent will not be “They are very compact in Lyon run into a Bayern If we casn impose our game Garcia said that the latest ping victory, Bayern are “re- “enormous quality in training”. enough”. His side have won defence, can run all day and side that thrashed Barcelona we can achieve something.It is wins have boosted the team: ally hungry” for more success, “That gives you confidence in their last 20 matches in all are strong on the counter-at- 8-2 and is unbeaten in 28 not only about defending, we “You get the appetite while you says captain Manuel Neuer. the team. I’m relaxed because, competitions, securing an tack,” he said. games of which they have won know we can pose difficult for are eating, we have this appe- However, semi-final op- I know that they’re very focused eighth straight Bundesliga ti- “We want to reach the final 27 and scored 94 goals. the opponent.” Lyon are praised tite. We have the desire to reach ponents Lyon have punched and have big goals.” tle and lifting the German Cup and beat Lyon, knowing full But Garcia insisted: “If we for their solid defence and fast the final.” Lyon’s Portugal goal- above their weight by beating The Bayern boss warns in the process. well that it’s not that easy, so just looked at the stats then we forwards such as Dutchman keeper Anthony Lopes was also Juventus and Manchester City “the game starts from scratch. Their striker Robert Le- we have to be on the front foot would stay in the hotel. Memphis Depay and Moussa cautiously optimistic while also to reach the last four. We have to play like we did wandowski is the Champions from the first minute.” “We know who we play, Dembele who came on to score knowing what he will likely face. 14 Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Sports Europa League QSL last round promises thrilling end to unusual season AYENI OLUSEGUN title in 2016 in style but have DOHA since fallen off, which was crystalized by a disappointing WHEN the QNB Stars League fourth-place finish last sea- kicked off last year in August son. The arrival of Uruguayan for the 2019/20 season, no coach Diego Aguirre, Algerian one would have predicted that star Yacine Brahimi, and Qa- the champions would emerge tari international Abdulaziz precisely one year later. The Hatem seemed to rejuvenate coronavirus pandemic caused the side, but a disappoint- a halt to sporting activities ing loss in the AFC Champi- globally.