The Players Field

Michael Rothstein
ESPN Staff Writer
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It is, in some ways, the final game of one era and the start of another one. Madden NFL 21 will begin on PlayStation 4 and XBox One. It eventually will be one of the first games to appear on the next generation of consoles, PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X, too. The game will release to the public on Friday, with people who made preorders able to access the game Tuesday.

Which means eventually -- potentially next year -- there could be massive changes to the game. But this year, there are still things that will look and feel different when the game is officially released later this week. The "skill stick" will allow for more dynamic controlling of players and potentially sharper moves and cuts. A new career mode, called "Face of the Franchise: Rise to Fame," taking a career from high school to the pros, replaces the quarterback-based storyline from last year. And the game is also adding a playground version of football called "The Yard."
The mainstays are there, too -- from the second year of superstars and X-factors to longstanding modes such as franchise and Ultimate Team. But as it always does, so much of Madden comes back to the players and how they are rated. To which, this guide will help:
The 99 Club Fun facts: By now, Donald is a mainstay. The future Hall of Famer is a 99 for the fourth time and is joined by a bunch of new faces. Mahomes becomes the first quarterback not named Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady or Drew Brees to earn a launch 99 rating since Peyton Manning in Madden 11. McCaffrey and Thomas were 99s by the last update of last season, and Gilmore is the game's best corner.

Whither the reign of a 99 linebacker, as the position is not represented as a 99 for the first time since Madden 16 -- ending a stint during which Luke Kuechly, Von Miller and Bobby Wagner all earned the top rating for at least one season. The world of long-snappers -- listed as tight ends -- again take up the bottom of the rankings with Tampa Bay's Zach Triner (23), Indianapolis' Luke Rhodes (24), Las Vegas' Trent Sieg (24) and Jacksonville's Matt Orzech (25) the worst in the game.

Young leads the youngsters
Here are the ratings for the top 10 picks in the 2020 NFL draft:

1. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (76)
2. Chase Young, RE, Washington Football Team (80)
3. Jeff Okudah, CB, Detroit Lions (76)
4. Andrew Thomas, RT, New York Giants (78)
5. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (73)
6. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers (70)
7. Derrick Brown, DT, Carolina Panthers (78)
8. Isaiah Simmons, SS, Arizona Cardinals (78)
9. CJ Henderson, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars (76)
10. Jedrick Wills Jr., LT, Cleveland Browns (73)

Fun facts: So the rookies might not look all that strong. Chase Young, at an 80, matches what the game did last year with Quinnen Williams, and there's a reason why the rookies don't have massive numbers yet. First is one of the philosophies the game's ratings creators have: Make the rookies earn it. They have no problem jumping a rookie up quickly if he plays well. For instance, Oakland running back Josh Jacobs started last season as a 74. This season, he'll begin the year as an 88. Defensive end Nick Bosa was a 78 to start last year. This year? He's an 89.

As far as this year's group, it's not surprising to see Herbert as the lowest rated in the top 10. Some of that has to do with positional spread and also the reality of it being much harder to come in as a rookie quarterback and succeed. Burrow is tied with Jared Goff and Jameis Winston, Tagovailoa with Sam Darnold and Herbert with Drew Lock, Dwayne Haskins and Gardner Minshew II. It takes time to make progress as a quarterback -- Kyler Murray is a 77 to start this year, for example -- but once you step up a level, it shows in the game. Same with cornerback, which is why despite the praise Okudah has received, he's still a 76, which is on the level of a D.J. Hayden, Josh Norman and Charvarius Ward. He'll have a chance to move up quickly if he can lock down receivers.

Speed, please Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (99)
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (98)
Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Marquise Goodwin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles*
Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (97)

Fun facts: Is it any surprise at this point that Hill is a 99 speed? It shouldn't be for the man dubbed "Cheetah." The more interesting addition is the rookie Ruggs. There's no questioning his speed coming out of Alabama, with his 4.27-second 40-yard dash. It's the second straight year a rookie has been second in speed -- last year it was Brown, who had and continues to have a 97. The Chiefs, as you'd think, will be a handful on offense with the 99-rated Mahomes throwing to the 99-speed Hill and the 97-speed Hardman. If you like running go routes, Kansas City might be the team for you. Once again, Baltimore right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is the game's slowest player with a 50 rating. He has company in the low 50s from some offensive linemen and one defensive player, Detroit Lions tackle Danny Shelton. As far as non-linemen, Tom Brady may be good at many things, but speed is not one of them. He and Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby have the lowest non-lineman speed at 60.

* Goodwin opted out of the 2020 season but is still on the Eagles' roster.

Most/least aware Most aware: Donald, Thomas, Gilmore, J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans, Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons, Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts, Richard Sherman, CB, San Francisco 49ers (99)

Least aware: Jonathan Woodard, RE, Buffalo Bills (43); Beau Brinkley, TE, Tennessee Titans (44)
What does this actually mean: Let's be clear here: This doesn't mean anything in real life. But it basically helps the game decide how often a player is in the right place. And the 99 grouping here all have a knack for almost always being exactly where they are supposed to be. Watt, Donald and Sherman return from being 99s here last year, but the Madden raters dropped from 13 players with 99 awareness to seven. And some of these players -- particularly newcomers Thomas and Nelson -- should be here for years to come.

Strong vs. weak
Strongest: Donald (99); Linval Joseph, DT, Los Angeles Chargers, Matthew Ioannidis, DT, Washington Football Team (98); J.J. Watt, Quenton Nelson, Ndamukong Suh, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (97)

Weakest: Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ers (25); Aldrick Rosas, K, New York Giants (30)

All hail The Donald: Donald, to the surprise of zero people who have seen him in person, remains the strongest player in Madden. The Bucs remain the three-lettered defensive line you don't want to mess with, with Suh and Vea each rated at 97 (a drop of one point for Suh from last season). Ioannidis is the lone newcomer of the top-rated strength guys, and considering he's only 26, he could be here for a bit. Gould takes over as the weakest player in the game -- the era of Phil Dawson is over -- followed up again by Aldrick Rosas, who will be on the Giants at launch but is also no longer on the Giants. 49ers receiver Travis Benjamin once again is the weakest non-kicker or punter in the game and the only non-kicker or punter below 40 with a 38 rating.

Arms race
Strongest: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills (99); Mahomes (97); Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers, Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions (94)

Least strong: Logan Woodside, Tennessee Titans (75); Garrett Gilbert, Cleveland Browns (76); Matt Schaub, Atlanta Falcons, Ryan Griffin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (77)
Fun facts: These ratings have largely stayed the same -- minus Tyree Jackson and his 95 throw power from last season. It made sense from his arm strength, but he's currently out of the league and the game. Mahomes got a one-point jump, but remember anything over a 90 is really, really good here because of last year's stretch of throw power ratings to make quarterbacks feel more realistic. Twenty quarterbacks have throw power of 90 or greater at launch, up from 18 a year ago and down from 53 two years ago, pre-stretch. The bottom of the throw-power ratings for quarterbacks this year is better than last season, where Logan Woodside and his 75 rating -- unchanged from last year -- is at the bottom. Matt Schaub actually improved by four from a season ago.

The good, and not-so-good, hands people
Best: Thomas (99); DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals, George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers (98); Austin Hooper, TE, Cleveland Browns, Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (97)

Worst: Ben Bredeson, G, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Bozeman, G, Baltimore Ravens, Wes Schweitzer, G, Washington Football Team (12); Jamil Demby, G, Los Angeles Rams (13)

Fun facts: If you're looking for a future star in this game -- and in real life -- Chris Godwin may be the way to go. He's 24 years old and should continue to ascend in both the actual NFL and the virtual Madden world. Having Tom Brady throwing to him can only help. His hands, though, are already on point. The rest of the crew shouldn't be a surprise, highlighted by Thomas and Hopkins, who have four of the best hands in the entire NFL. The Ravens have some players with truly putrid catch ratings, and they should as offensive linemen.

Man or zone? It's your call
Best in man: Gilmore (99), Jalen Ramsey CB, Los Angeles Rams (95); Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers (93); Casey Hayward Jr., Los Angeles Chargers (92), Tre'Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills (91)

Best in zone: Sherman (98); Gilmore (97); Ramsey (95), Eddie Jackson, S, Chicago Bears (94), Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots, Kevin Byard, S, Tennessee Titans (93)

Fun facts: Do you like to play more Cover 2 or Cover 2 man? What's your preference? If you're looking at the elite corners, either the 99-rated Gilmore or the 95-in-man-and-zone Ramsey should be your choice. That Sherman remains a zone elite player after all these years continues to make sense -- he was dominant last season -- and the fact that some safeties are involved in zone offers some flexibility, too, when crafting your team and just one more thing to think about.


The best and worst teams in Madden NFL 21
Overall
Best: New Orleans Saints (93); San Francisco 49ers (89); Kansas City Chiefs (88)

Worst: Washington Football Team (74), Jacksonville Jaguars (74), Cincinnati Bengals (75), New York Jets (75)
Fun facts: No surprises here, unless you think New Orleans shouldn't be the top team in the game. But then you look at the Saints' high-powered offense led by Brees and Thomas and a defense anchored by pass-rush extraordinaire Cameron Jordan and it's easy to see why the Saints are getting that attention. Kansas City's defense is the main concern, even with Tyrann Mathieu and Chris Jones, knocking them from a likely first spot as Super Bowl champs down to third. San Francisco continues to have a ton of balance and a potentially dominant defense. As far as the worst teams, Washington's quarterback situation is in question and the club is in a large rebuild with a new coach. Jacksonville's talent level is just not great. Cincinnati could be sneakily better as the season goes along, but the Bengals did have the No. 1 pick last year for a reason. And the Jets, well, the Jets are a team bereft of established talent after the trade of Jamal Adams to Seattle. So it all makes sense.

Offenses
Best: New Orleans Saints (96); Kansas City Chiefs (92); Baltimore Ravens (89); Green Bay Packers (89)

Worst: Washington Football Team (66); New York Jets (67); Denver Broncos (69); Miami Dolphins (69)

Fun facts: It's not a good thing if your overall unit rating is under a 70. Only one team (Miami) had that a season ago. The Dolphins haven't improved in the game, but there's hope for the future with Tua Tagovailoa on the roster. But rookies in Madden have to prove it, and until he does, the rating will remain. Washington's offense is questionable other than Terry McLaurin. Denver has potential: Drew Lock is still very young, but the receiving combination of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton could impress. Why are we talking about the worst? Mostly because there's little to say about the best. The Saints are incredibly potent and were already mentioned. The Chiefs have so much speed and skill they are almost unfair to play with. Lamar Jackson is the Madden cover athlete in Baltimore and the Ravens have speed and talent across the offense with Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown and more. And the Packers, who might be the most curious inclusion, still have Rodgers.

Defenses
Best: Chicago Bears (88); San Francisco 49ers (87); Baltimore Ravens (86); New Orleans Saints (86)

Worst: Jacksonville Jaguars (72); Carolina Panthers (72); Atlanta Falcons (72)

Fun facts: The Bears, even in a down year, still have such a formidable front. Khalil Mack remains one of the NFL's top pass-rushers and Akiem Hicks is a problem in the middle. Eddie Jackson is one of the game's top safeties over the top. The 49ers made it to the Super Bowl last year largely due to their defensive prowess led by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Sherman. The Jaguars' talent is questionable outside of rookie K'Lavon Chaisson and linebackers Josh Allen and Myles Jack. Similar issues in Carolina outside of Kawann Short, Brian Burns and Derrick Brown. But a lot of questions for the entire unit.

Lee Gormley
By Lee Gormley
 August 9, 2020
Not all fighters have been learning their craft from a young age. Many combatants do first step into boxing gyms as children, get involved as youthful amateurs and work their way up the pugilistic ladder.

There tends to be a stigma that in order to become a top fighter, you must start at a young age. But there are exceptions to that usual trend, and some began fighting much later in life before eventually stepping into the ring at an older age.

In no particular order, here are 10 fighters who got into boxing late and still managed to carve out successful professional careers.

1. Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Despite a very late start to his career, particularly in boxing terms, Dwight Muhammad Qawi (born Dwight Braxton) went on to enjoy a great career at the top.

The American finally got involved in the sport at the age of 25, starting when he was serving time in Rahway State Prison for armed robbery.

Despite his late start, Qawi captured world titles in two weight classes, reigning at both light-heavyweight and cruiserweight.

He enjoyed ring battles with the likes of Matthew Saad Muhammad, Michael Spinks, Leon Spinks, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman before retiring in 1998.

2. Ken Norton
Another eventual world champion to make a late start in boxing.

Ken Norton is believed to have got involved with the sport at around the age of 24 but he went on to have a huge impact nevertheless.

He’s most regarded for his upset victory over the great Muhammad Ali in their first of three bouts.

Known as “The Black Hercules”, he also went toe to toe with Larry Holmes, coming up narrowly short in 1978, before retiring three years later.

The former world heavyweight champion was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 1992.

3. Rocky Marciano
One of the most legendary heavyweight champions in history was also a late starter in the sport.

The hard-hitting Rocky Marciano retired with an impressive undefeated record of 49-0, with 43 knockout victories, in 1955.

“The Brockton Blockbuster” didn’t start boxing until he was 23, which is incredible considering the success he achieved throughout his devastating career.

He was the division king from 1952, beating Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles, Don Cockell and Archie Moore during his reign, and is the only heavyweight champion to ever fully retire undefeated.

4. Sonny Liston

Considering the success he ultimately amassed throughout his career as a prize-fighter, it’s surprising to know former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston didn’t start boxing until he was 19.

The formidable and intimidating American puncher was a solid force during his era and won the title in 1962 when he knocked out Floyd Patterson inside one round.

He repeated that exact feat the following year in the first defense of his WBC crown, having then become the organization’s inaugural title holder.

Liston was widely regarded as an unbeatable wrecking ball before suffering stunning back-to-back defeats at the hands of Muhammad Ali, who was still known as Cassius Clay in their first encounter.

5. Jess Willard

One of the largest heavyweight champions in history, Jess Willard was a true giant of the division and reigned for more than four years.

“The Pottawatomie Giant” famously knocked out Jack Johnson in 1915, as America’s then “Great White Hope” inflicted “The Galveston Giant’s” first ever defeat.

But, perhaps unfairly, he is remembered more for his severe and savage beating at the hands of Jack Dempsey in 1919.

The towering American incredibly didn’t begin boxing until the late age of 27, which makes his career all the more admirable.

6. Luis Angel Firpo

Argentine pugilist Luis Angel Firpo is another late starter, taking up boxing at the age of 23 back in Buenos Aires.

He became the first Latin American in history to challenge for the heavyweight title in his 1923 clash with Jack Dempsey.

That famous showdown in New York is widely remembered as one of the greatest action-packed bouts ever, with Firpo knocking “The Manassa Mauler” out of the ring in the opening round before being stopped in the second himself.

Despite the loss, his popularity across Latin America was immense and the image of him sending Dempsey flying from the ring is one of the most famous in boxing history.

7. Clinton Woods

In spite of taking up the sport at 22 years of age, Clinton Woods eventually secured world honors at light-heavyweight.

The Yorkshireman became involved in a life of drugs and crime before finding boxing as a way out of his problems.

Sheffield’s likeable former British champion made an unsuccessful step up to face the legendary Roy Jones Jr in 2002.

But he won the 175lbs world title three years later, made four defenses of his belt then lost it to Antonio Tarver in 2008.

Retirement came the following year when he failed to reclaim the strap he lost against Tavoris Cloud, but he enjoyed a top career to look back on after starting late on.

8. Deontay Wilder

The most destructive puncher currently in the sport and perhaps one of the biggest knockout artists in heavyweight history.

American giant Deontay Wilder has risen to prominence in recent years with his brutal stoppage successes.

But “The Bronze Bomber” wasn’t working on his craft from a very young age, having only got involved in boxing at the rather late age of 20.

Wilder enjoyed a short but sweet amateur career, winning a Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, before embarking on his now esteemed professional career later that same year.

9. Antonio Tarver

Known as “The Magic Man”, Antonio Tarver enjoyed a hugely successful amateur background, which culminated in a Bronze medal triumph in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

The American later went on to capture various light-heavyweight world titles and overcame several top names, including Montell Griffin and Roy Jones Jr.

But the Florida-born southpaw was somewhat of a late bloomer.

He initially began a brief stint in boxing at 10 years of age but eventually stopped for many years before getting into it properly at around 20.

10. Ron Lyle

Former world heavyweight title challenger Ron Lyle is another fighter to have got into boxing very late on in life.

He first donned his gloves while serving time in jail in his mid-twenties following a turbulent time in life early on.

The American contested for the undisputed heavyweight crown once when he collided with Muhammad Ali in 1975 but was stopped in 11 rounds.

He was involved in many crowd-pleasing matchups, most notably a Fight of the Year barnstormer against George Foreman in 1976, and holds wins over the likes of Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Earnie Shavers and Joe Bugner.

It’s Never Too Late
The moral of the story here is simply that it’s clearly never too late to make a start in boxing with the right amount of talent, serious determination and work ethic.

It’s also evident that the majority of those fighters who do get involved in the sport later in life are in the larger divisions, typically heavyweights.

At that size, anyone can still carry their power at an older age, which is the case for most of the names on the list!

Other notable boxers who started late: Arthur Pelkey, Bernard Hopkins, Ray Mercer, Sergio Martinez, Anthony Joshua.

ESPN
Aug 11, 2020
After a dizzying, dramatic slate of quarterfinals in Lisbon, Portugal, that saw last-second drama (PSG vs. Atalanta), historic scores (Bayern Munich 8, Barcelona 2) and a pair of serious updates (RB Leipzig over Atletico Madrid, Lyon knocking Man City out), we're down to the final four in the UEFA Champions League. Two games pitting Ligue 1 sides against Bundesliga opposition are up next, as Lyon face Bayern and RB Leipzig look to end PSG's date with destiny.

Which teams are likely to move on to the final? Which players could be decisive in either contest?
Here's your preview for the semifinals.
RB LEIPZIG vs. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (Tues., 3 p.m. ET)

RB Leipzig
Master vs. Apprentice

When Julian Nagelsmann was forced into premature retirement as a young central defender at Augsburg in 2008, it was his then-coach, Thomas Tuchel, who nudged him down the coaching path. Under Tuchel, Nagelsmann (still on the Augsburg payroll) started scouting and then took his first steps into coaching as an assistant with 1860 Munich U-17s. From there he joined Hoffenheim's youth system, got the top job and is now in charge of Champions League semifinalists Leipzig. His trajectory has been rapid and impressive in equal measure.
A Nagelsmann side finds a way of punching above its weight, where the system draws together individual talent to create a collective stronger than the sum of its parts. Having dispatched Tottenham and then Atletico Madrid in the knockout stages, Nagelsmann's Leipzig play without fear, and even without Timo Werner -- he joined Chelsea on July 1 -- they are a formidable outfit. Nagelsmann, 33, will relish the chance to knock his previous boss out of the Champions League. "Games against him are always interesting, because he has a good idea of football," Nagelsmann said of Tuchel last week.

"Of course I was his player, but that was a long time ago. Coaching's my game now, just like it's his."
Key players

Naglesmann's approach is all about transitions and the speed of turning defence into attack. Dayot Upamecano, their towering centre-back, was magnificent against Atletico Madrid and neutralized the threat of Diego Costa with ease. Upamecano will have his hands full trying to stop Neymar and Mauro Icardi.

- Hamilton: Adams the hero as Leipzig beat Atletico

With Werner at Chelsea, the pressure is on Leipzig's forwards to deliver. Yussuf Poulsen will be their go-to striker, but Marcel Sabitzer is integral. The Austrian attacking midfielder has 16 goals and 11 assists to his name, and Leipzig will need him to be at his most creative vs. PSG.

Why they will win

Leipzig have a fearless mentality. In short, the bigger the opponent, the greater the opportunity. They are defensively solid, and through the brilliance of Naglesmann's tactical approach, they can switch from a 3-4-3, to a 3-4-1-2 or a 4-2-3-1 in the blink of an eye. The players have an inherent understanding of their roles and are equally confident in moving out of position to plug gaps. They are so hard to break down, with Kevin Kampl integral to their system as he hovers in front of the back three snaffling out any potential attacking threats.

Why they will not win

They have one thing going against them, and it's a big one: the absence of Werner. He scored 34 goals for them this season and was the heartbeat of their rapid attack. While they've already moved to sort that for next season with the signing of Hwang Hee-Chan from Salzburg, on Tuesday night they will need players to once again step out of the Werner shadows and embrace the spotlight. -- Tom Hamilton


Paris Saint-Germain
This is Neymar's time to shine

When you think of the PSG version of Neymar in the Champions League, you think of inconsistency and an inability to deliver, having missed their last two exits from the competition because of injury. In the round of 16 against Dortmund, Neymar was equal parts brash and brilliant. Against Atalanta, he was wasteful in front of goal but never stopped trying to crack the Serie A side's defenses. Apart from Lionel Messi, no one else can dribble past people like him and can own a game like he did against the Italians. He was the only creative touch against them. He was PSG's attacking system alone.

- Laurens: PSG end their Champions League curse
- Marcotti: Atalanta's story is far from over

The French champions relied on him against Dortmund in the past 16 and he delivered with two goals. They relied on him against Atalanta and he carried them, assisting the first goal and with a second assist on the second. They will rely on him again on Tuesday against RB Leipzig. Will he take them to the final? That's why they signed him. That's why he left Barcelona. He has two more games to get to the top of Europe, like in 2015 with Barca, but this time, he would be the main man doing it like he wanted it.
Key players

Neymar will of course be the leader, but Kylian Mbappé will be his faithful lieutenant, the duo resembling a footballing version of Batman and Robin. The French prodigy is back in the semifinal of the Champions League three years after reaching it with Monaco in 2017. At the time, he was 18 and had taken Europe both by storm and by surprise. This is a different, better KMB, and he is where we expect him to be. Like against Atalanta, his pace and his partnership with Neymar will cause havoc in the Leipzig defence.

Then there is Marquinhos, the best hybrid centre-back/holding midfielder in the world. No other player can do both jobs as well as him. He will be key for PSG once more, as he will have to protect his back four from the waves of Leipzig attacks as well as providing the right balance in transition for his team. At 26, he is also a real leader even if he doesn't wear the armband; he told his teammates not to panic against Atalanta when they were 1-0 down and to not give up when the clock was ticking down.

Why PSG will win

The Parisians are giants both in terms of their star power and their financial might. They're the haves against Leipzig's have-nots, and they're on a mission. Before the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and before they faced Dortmund in the last 16 second leg, with a 2-1 deficit to overturn, they made a pact as a group to go all the way. They believed this was their season, and they're proving it so far.

Better yet, their individuals are in top form, unlike in previous seasons. Neymar, Mbappé, Marquinhos and Thiago Silva form a winning spine capable of carrying this team to the final. They have too much brilliance for Leipzig to combat, especially given Neymar's form. That brilliance extends to the coaching battle: Tuchel knows Nagelsmann better than anyone else and he will be ready to win the tactical battle against him, especially to beat Leipzig's press.
Why PSG will not win

The expectations are massive. Having waited 25 years for this opportunity, not reaching the final four of the Champions League/European Cup since 1995, the pressure could be crippling. PSG don't usually cope well with this kind of stress, having crashed out of this competition in the quarterfinals or earlier in each of the past seven attempts. Despite boasting the likes of Mbappe, Neymar, Edinson Cavani and even Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Champions League has been truly beyond their grasp.

The French champions are not used to facing a team like Leipzig that plays with so much energy, intensity and movement. It will be tough for them to keep up with all the runs from the wing-backs, the forwards and the midfielders.

Based on the latest training sessions, it looks like Tuchel will revert to his favourite 4-4-2 formation for this game, which would be a mistake, as it would play into Leipzig's hands, especially in midfield where PSG risk to be totally outplayed. The other risk is that if things start going wrong and if Leipzig take the lead, Neymar or Mbappe will try to do their thing on their own and it will be counterproductive for the team. -- Julien Laurens


Predictions

If Leipzig can keep PSG's attacking riches at bay, they will book their place in the Champions League final with a 2-1 victory. -- Tom Hamilton

PSG is stronger individually but Leipzig is better collectively. However, in a game like this, I think individual talent will prevail. PSG will win 2-1. -- Julien Laurens


OLYMPIQUE LYON vs. BAYERN MUNICH (Wed., 3 p.m. ET)

Lyon

The secret to Lyon's success: This was never on the cards. Never, at any point this season, did something about Lyon's game make you think they would be on the verge of something so special in the Champions League. Yet, here they are. They managed to defy adversity and negativity all season, even weathering the premature end to the Ligue 1 season caused by the coronavirus outbreak across the globe.

Coach Rudi Garcia and his players created a fantastic team spirit, a sense of togetherness and a mental strength that has taken them 90 minutes from the Champions League final. They also found the perfect tactical system for them -- a 3-5-2 that suits most of their top players. In this formation, they're hard to break down and hard to beat. They are solid in midfield, crowding out opponents, they're disciplined in the tackle and they can play on the counterattack.
The other secret is the emergence of a remarkable midfield three. In Houssem Aouar, Lyon already had a gem on their hands. This could be his last game for the club if a bigger team comes for him this summer, but Aouar has been a wonderful technical leader. He is the total package: can create scoring chances, retain possession under pressure and advance with the ball through tackles even in his own half.

- Olley: Guardiola outthinks himself vs. Lyon

Next to him, Lyon have unearthed a real star in the making in Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian was already praised in his country but quite unknown in Europe. Not anymore, as the holding midfielder was superb against Juventus and Manchester City. The third and last musketeer in the Lyon midfield is the youngest and the new kid on the block, Maxence Caqueret, 20, who plays with the maturity of a 30-year-old. Everything is clean with him, and he puts so much pressure on the opposition too.

Key players

In addition to the aforementioned Houssem Aouar, Bayern must heed the threat created by Memphis Depay, who arguably shouldn't even be playing. When he injured a knee before Christmas, he and club officials thought that his season was over. On Wednesday, he will lead his team as the captain into one of the biggest games in Lyon's history. He wants to make his second chance count.

Equally, this is a great opportunity for Depay to show how far he's come since his disappointing spell at Manchester United. He was young then, and probably not ready after leaving PSV. At Lyon, he's found himself again. Whether he plays at a false nine or a second striker, his influence on the team's game is huge. He is the boss of this team -- its guide and its soul. For Lyon to beat Bayern, they will need a great night from him and a great partnership with Karl Toko Ekambi, who complements him well up front with his runs.
Why Lyon will win

No one expected them to get this far, and they will keep doing what has worked so far against Juventus and City: defend deep with a back five and play on the counter. It should be effective if Bayern stick with their high line, giving Lyon opportunities and room to run in behind. There will be lots of space there for Depay, Toko Ekambi and the wing-backs to exploit. In midfield, the three young Lyonnais should cope with the pressure from Bayern's midfield.

Why Lyon won't win

Did you see what Bayern did to Barcelona? Make no mistake, Lyon are facing the favorites to win it all. There will be no shame in losing against a better side, one that has the experience in midfield to block Lyon's trio. Stopping Alfonso Davies and Robert Lewandowski could also be very difficult and could cost them the game with an early goal. -- Julien Laurens


Bayern Munich
Is this Bayern's trophy to lose?

Where do you go after you've already scored eight against Lionel Messi & Co.? That's the challenge facing Bayern Munich: how to keep it going. Having secured a spot in Champions League immortality with that once-in-a-lifetime result, they know it'll count for nothing unless they back it up with two more wins and the trophy.

Oliver Kahn, the great Bayern Munich goalkeeper, is now on their board and said recently that the club needs to win the Champions League "more often." (Their last title: 2012-13, when they beat Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund 2-1.)

- Marcotti: Bayern's brilliance, not Barca's woe, the story
- Hunter: Barca's humiliation is their own fault

"I look at the future and it is not enough to win the Champions League title one time every 10 years," he continued. Well, there's the challenge to Hansi Flick's side and a sign of their ambition. The Bundesliga title -- as others like Maurizio Sarri at Juventus found after clinching Serie A -- is no longer enough to satisfy the hunger of ambitious boardrooms. But this is now Bayern Munich's Champions League to lose.

They have been magnificent all season, dominated the Bundesliga and far away lead the Champions League standings for expected goals, or xG (31.38), have averaged 4.3 goals per game and are second behind Manchester City for expected assists, or xA (19.67). They have incredible depth -- just look at their bench against Barcelona, as they were able to bring on Kingsley Coman and Philippe Coutinho to strengthen their grip on the match -- and the world's best striker in Robert Lewandowski. Then they have unsung heroes such as Joshua Kimmich, the box-office talent of Davies and the ever-calm Manuel Neuer between the posts.

Key players

You can pick anyone from Bayern's remarkable squad, but it's hard to look past their brilliant raumdeuter (or, literally, "space interpreter") Thomas Muller. The attacking midfielder was out of the picture under previous manager Nico Kovac, but Flick's introduction saw Muller return to centre stage and he has been outstanding for Bayern this season. He is their glue: always the link man in attack (he has registered 21 assists this term) and also chips in with his fair share of goals. He has a wonderfully unique style and the deftest touch on the ball; with freedom in attack, he's so difficult to mark.

Alongside Müller, Bayern will also need David Alaba to be on form in the heart of their defence. The 28-year-old has formed an impressive partnership with Jerome Boateng, but he will need to be on song to halt the likes of Depay and Moussa Dembele. He was vulnerable against Barcelona, and though it didn't cost Bayern in the end, he'll need to rebound quickly for the challenge of Lyon.

Why Bayern will win

When you have Lewandowski in the team, you fancy your chances, but Bayern are far bigger than just one man. Their motto "Mia san Mia" roughly translates to "we are who we are" and is the lifeblood of their identity -- everything flows through this, and they put so much emphasis on team harmony and a collective will. Flick manages the club through encouragement, rather than an authoritarian approach, and the players have responded.


Boateng, their impressive veteran centre-back, has previously spoken of how Flick has brought the fun back to Bayern and the players are clearly thriving. They dominated the Bundesliga, winning their eighth straight title by 13 points, and have Champions League winners in the squad in Müller, Neuer, Alaba and Boateng. In short, they know how to win.

Why Bayern won't win

Lyon won't be overawed by Bayern, after the French side polished off Man City, and will target the German champions' centre-backs, looking to push and pull Boateng and Alaba out of position. Both defenders are vulnerable to pace given Bayern's propensity to play a high line; if the likes of Davies and Kimmich are isolated upfield, there could be room for Depay & Co. to exploit. -- Tom Hamilton

Predictions

I think that Bayern will be too good for Lyon. I can see the Germans winning 3-1. -- Julien Laurens

Bayern Munich will come through with a 4-2 victory, Lewandowski will score and Müller will have an outstanding game. -- Tom Hamilton.