Tuchel and Nagelsmann: A Tale of Two Friends

What usually is talked about before a big Champions League game is either the history of the clubs involved or the clash between star players. But when PSG and RB Leipzig face off in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday night, the main focus will be on the two German tacticians who created their own unique paths.

Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann are the perfect epitome of the modern coach - one who gives attention to detail and video analysis,  which subsequently  led to them being labeled as ' laptop coaches.' Even though they will be standing on opposite dugouts in Lisbon tonight, there are plenty of similarities to draw between the two and a shared history towards their path to success.

When Nagelsmann was forced to give up his dream of becoming a footballer at a young age, it was Tuchel, the coach of Augsburg's second team at the time, who gave him the chance to be a scout. With his impressive understanding of the game, Nagelsmann went on to become the youngest Bundesliga coach in the Bundesliga at Hoffenheim, a team he took to the Champions League.

"I could never have imagined that we would meet 13 years later. We never thought we would meet in the Champions League or Bundesliga," said Tuchel of his German colleague.