PSG can ‘beat anyone with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’, claims Rio Ferdinand after stunning Atalanta

The French forward shone as a substitute to turn the game in Thomas Tuchel’s side’s favour and reach the Champions League semi-finals

Jack Rathborn
Thursday 13 August 2020 09:20 BST
Comments
Champions League quarter-final draw

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Paris Saint-Germain can “beat anyone with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe”, claims Rio Ferdinand after the French side’s dramatic victory over Atalanta to advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the 90th minute, Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck to deny the Italians and book a place in the final four.

Neymar assisted the equaliser before sending Mbappe in behind Atalanta’s back line, with the Frenchman squaring for Choupo-Moting to snatch victory in stoppage time.

And former Manchester United defender Ferdinand maintains the two superstars can handle any side they meet in the semi-finals or final.

“You have a chance to beat anyone when you have Neymar and Mbappe,” Ferdinand claimed on BT Sport.

Neymar and Mbappe combined to inspire PSG to victory
Neymar and Mbappe combined to inspire PSG to victory (Getty)

“They are two of the best players on the planet.”

Ferdinand insists the combination is crucial to PSG’s chances, despite Neymar attempting to carry the French champions with Mbappe starting on the bench after a recent injury.

Thomas Tuchel introduced Mbappe after an hour for the ineffective Pablo Sarabia, with Ferdinand raving about his “decision making”.

“That’s what I love about Mbappe, the decision making, the skills, he makes the right decisions,” Ferdinand added.

“Before the game we said Neymar needed to take the game by the scruff of the neck and he did do that to an extent but his final ball and decision making just wasn’t there.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in