MATCHDAY: PSG-Atalanta in 1st Champions League quarterfinal
LISBON (AP) — A look at the first of the Champions League quarterfinals between Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta on Wednesday.
STORYLINE
Atalanta's first season in the Champions League began with three group-stage losses. 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. The reconfigured final-eight format means there's only one match on neutral territory at Benfica against PSG rather two legs home and away. It looks like a mismatch, with the French treble winner's revenue and wage bill far exceeding Atalanta's budget. But Atalanta was Serie A's highest-scoring team in a run to a second consecutive third-place finish. Josip Ilicic, who scored five goals across the two last-16 games against Valencia, hasn't traveled to Lisbon for personal reasons. PSG is set to be missing forward Kylian Mbappé from the starting lineup as he has been recovering from an ankle injury.
TOP SCORER
Paris Saint-Germain: Kylian Mbappé (30 in all competitions).
Atalanta: Josip Iličić (21).
KEY PLAYMAKER
Paris Saint-Germain: Ángel Di María (14 assists).
Atalanta: Alejandro “Papu” Gomez (18).
TOP DEFENDER
Paris Saint-Germain: Thiago Silva.
Atalanta: Berat Djimsiti.
DOMESTIC FINISH
Paris Saint-Germain: Ligue (1st), French Cup (winners), League Cup (winners).
Atalanta: Serie A (3rd), Italian Cup (last 16).
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BEST
Paris Saint-Germain: Semifinals (1995).
Atalanta: Debut.
REVENUE
Paris Saint-Germain: 637.8 million euros.
Atalanta: 188.6 million euros.
WAGE BILL
Paris Saint-Germain: 337 million euros.
Atalanta: 50.9 million for players.
___
Finances based on latest figured reported by the club or UEFA
___
More AP soccer: , and
Dolphins Cleaning House: Tyreek Hill Released by Miami; Star WR Vows He'll Be Back
2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 25 Potential Salary Cap Cuts This Offseason
Men's CBK AP Top 25: Michigan Claims No. 1 For 1st Time in Over 13 Years
2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits
Who Is Tyler Reddick? Daytona 500 Winner on Texting Michael Jordan, Picking Baby Names
Why Chiefs Shouldn't Seek Tyreek Hill Reunion: 'Nostalgia Will Get You In Trouble'
College Football Stock Watch: Why USC is Heading in Right Direction, and Alabama Isn't
What's Next: Ranking 7 Veteran NFL QBs Who Should Be Available This Offseason
Daytona 500: Brad Keselowski Laments Riley Herbst's 'Very Stupid' Move
Dolphins Cleaning House: Tyreek Hill Released by Miami; Star WR Vows He'll Be Back
2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 25 Potential Salary Cap Cuts This Offseason
Men's CBK AP Top 25: Michigan Claims No. 1 For 1st Time in Over 13 Years
2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits
Who Is Tyler Reddick? Daytona 500 Winner on Texting Michael Jordan, Picking Baby Names
Why Chiefs Shouldn't Seek Tyreek Hill Reunion: 'Nostalgia Will Get You In Trouble'
College Football Stock Watch: Why USC is Heading in Right Direction, and Alabama Isn't
What's Next: Ranking 7 Veteran NFL QBs Who Should Be Available This Offseason
Daytona 500: Brad Keselowski Laments Riley Herbst's 'Very Stupid' Move
