Magical evening at the Parc des Princes. Paris Saint-Germain, trailing (0-2) a few minutes after the restart, turned the situation around, thanks to a collective strength that it has rarely shown in recent years in the Champions League. Paris therefore won, finally (4-2). We will highlight the decisive entry of Ousmane Dembélé, a surprising substitute at kick-off but who showed that he remained essential. Bradley Barcola is also worth highlighting. A goal and an assist for the French international, who continues to increase his statistics.
The Parisians’ scores against Manchester City
The Italian goalkeeper was rather reassuring this Wednesday. Preferred over the Russian Matvey Safonov, the goalkeeper was invaluable for the Parisian defense. Author of a first good save in front of De Bruyne (13th), he also easily captured a header from Haaland (21st), before repelling a strike from Savinho (40th). If he scares the Parisian supporters by coming out in front of Ruben Dias (41st), he has a good first half. He is heroic on the first goal by taking the ball out initially, but can do nothing about Grealish’s strike (50th). On Haaland’s side, he can’t do anything at all either (53rd).
Established in the left lane of defense, he was not particularly worried during the first act. But by wanting to play the firefighters on duty at the heart of the game, he opened a terrible gap at the start of the second half, into which the Citizens rushed on Grealish’s goal (50th). A few risky or overly ambitious defensive climbs could have cost more against a more technically precise and sharp City.
If, like all of his partners, he managed a generally interesting first half, his start to the second act plunges his team into doubt. By depriving Erling Haaland of an aerial ball from Gvardiol, the Brazilian restarts full axis and puts Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes in great difficulty against the pressing of De Bruyne. A fatal error with immediate consequences: coming off the bench at the break, Grealish scored after a first save from Donnarumma.
The Ecuadorian defender did not have an easy task, Erling Haaland being in his zone of action most of the time. Even though the Norwegian managed to find the net, Pacho had an excellent match. Technically clean, his defensive interventions were just as clean. In no duel did he escape. And despite his goal, Erling Haaland almost did not exist. In anticipation Willian Pacho was impeccable. His power and physical impact really hampered City.
As is often the case in matches that count, Achraf Hakimi was in sight. Valuable in transition phases, as usual he brought the surplus by taking the inside of the field, up to the opposing 30 meters. He thought he opened the score (45th), before seeing his goal refused for a slight offside, after viewing on the VAR. With the entry of Dembele he did not stop his activity, taking on this role wonderfully.
Close to the opening of the score 26th strike low to the ground, at the entrance to the area, Vitinha could have put his team on the path.
A loss of ball 39th which could have cost the Parisians dearly. Savinho leaves alone afterwards. Otherwise, the orientation of the ball, necessarily as the low point of the team, and some very precise diagonals to reach the opposite side. Decisive passer on Neves’ goal, on a well-kicked free kick at the far post. +1
Desire and availability in the middle, but still this problem of rhythm. The Spaniard sorely lacked liveliness in small spaces, and especially excelled when he had time and space, by fleeing pressure zones, as he was able to do on the left in the half-space . Insufficient all the same, especially against an opponent of this caliber. Replaced in the 60th by Zaire-Emery.
What a shame that it cost City’s second goal, that of Erling Haaland. Because without this deviation towards his expensive goal, the Portuguese was radiant. In combativeness, to scratch the balls from the opposing feet and even from the head (10th) or from afar to try your luck (64th). A real Champions League match from number 87, who even gave his team victory with a header full of power and revenge.
Désiré Doué obviously had ants in his legs for this meeting. The evening winger was twirling. He started by arranging the supporters, after a tight angle shot well repelled by Ederson. But between his scarf shots, his returns full of determination and his initiatives on the right, Doué turned into one of the most prominent players. He hits the bar on a curled left side at the hour mark, which returns to Barcola’s feet to equalize! Replaced just then by Gonçalo Ramos, author of the 4th goal, who exploded the Parc des Princes.
Mobile and active, not really essential or interesting either. Desire and combativeness in the pressing but with the ball, too many touches of the ball and time which allowed City to recover. The Korean, in false 9, did not forget the absence of Dembélé. Replaced at the break by Ousmane Dembélé (8/10), who, as he had promised, scored to reduce the score in the 56th and brought the madness he spoke of in the press conference. A few minutes later, he mystifies Bernardo Silva before hitting the bar with power.
Found by his teammates, and often in a one-on-one situation in the first half. The French international has not made much difference, however. Taken over by Akanji, he switched with Doué to find himself on the right side in the middle of the first act. There, he could have provided an assist for Hakimi, if the Moroccan’s goal had not been refused for offside. But it was only a postponement since upon returning from the locker room, he offered on a platter the reduction of Dembélé’s score (56th). Four minutes later, he equalized with an unexpected recovery, which ended on the post returning from Ederson’s cage. Replaced in the 81st by Lucas Hernandez.
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