In a completely crazy match, with six goals in the second half, it was Paris SG who won the shock against Manchester City. For its part, Girona is eliminated.
This match smelled like gunpowder. Paris Saint-Germain, semi-finalist last season, and Manchester City, winner in 2023, were at great risk in the event of defeat this Wednesday evening. But even more so the Parisians, because they were at home, outside the qualifying zone and they (still) have an insufficient goal average in the event of a tie with the teams in front.
It was in pouring rain that the two teams played each other several times in this meeting. But it was PSG who were the most dominant in the first half, with twice as many chances as City, as well as 64% possession. So much effort which was rewarded by a goal from Achraf Hakimi just before the break. Problem: Nuno Mendes was flagged in an offside position, for a few centimeters…
And the sanction was immediate for the Parisians. From the start of the second half, the Cityzens took matters into their own hands. And it was English winger Jack Grealish, who came on at the break in place of Savinho, who came to cool down the Parc des Princes (0-1, 50th). Before the Norwegian Erling Haaland planted the second blade four minutes later (0-2, 53rd).
It was from there that the magic happened among the Parisians. French attackers Ousmane Dembélé (1-2, 56th) and Bradley Barcola (2-2, 60th) turned this match into an irrational one by restarting the entire match. Extinguishing, at the same time, Manchester City. And it was the Portuguese João Neves (3-2, 78th) and Gonçalo Ramos (4-2, 90th+3) who came to offer the three precious points which allowed PSG (22nd) to regain their place in the top 24. We will now have to finish the job next Wednesday (9 p.m.) in Stuttgart. But Luis Enrique's men achieved a huge coup this Wednesday.
-Girona beat Milan
Not officially eliminated before this 7th day, Girona FC officially buried its last hopes of qualification this Wednesday evening. Traveling to San Siro to face AC Milan, the “blanc-i-vermell” had a good match. But they never managed to break the Rossoneri lock. Unlike the Milanese who, thanks to Rafael Leão after passing David López (37th), were able to score an important goal in order to put themselves back in the qualifying zone for the round of 16.
The Catalans will therefore play their last Champions League match next Wednesday (9 p.m.) in Montilivi, against Arsenal who have just beaten Dinamo Zagreb (3-0). The Gunners are 3rd and almost qualified for the round of 16.
Earlier in the evening, Stade Brestois lost against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-0) in Gelsenkirchen (Germany). Which reduces its chances of direct qualification. But the Breton club will see the final phase of this new-look Champions League, going through the play-offs.
