PSG vs Barça: Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg Recap

2024-04-10 21:00:00

PSG did not last the distance. Luis Enrique’s players lost at home to Barça on Wednesday in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League (2-3). First beaten tactically and trailing at the break, the Parisians revolted superbly at the start of the second half with goals from Ousmane Dembélé (48th) then Vitinha (50th). The untenable Raphinha however offered himself a double (37th and 62nd) then Andreas Christensen scored from a corner (77th). We will have to learn the lesson during the second round.

Under the eyes of Ronaldinho, legend of both clubs, Paris entered the match in a conquering manner. Barça initially wanted to be cautious and compact in front of its surface. He conceded a few corners but held on solidly before playing long to place formidable counter-attacks.

Donnarumma hesitant

Xavi had obviously planned his move and Robert Lewandowski often took off in the middle to attract the naive Lucas Beraldo. This regularly opened up gaps for Raphinha on the left and the former Rennais quickly forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to come out far from his area (6th). Feverish on the first Catalan corner and not very reassuring throughout the match, the Italian goalkeeper saw Lewandowski place a boiling header, but Nuno Mendes pushed the ball back on the line (21st).

After another stall from Lewandowski in the central circle and a cross from Lamine Yamal on the right, Donnarumma’s exit to the penalty spot proved ineffective and Raphinha inherited the ball to open the scoring (0-1, 37th) . The Brazilian winger has unlocked his counter in C1 this season and again created a great opportunity just before the break (45th + 1).

Paris shakes up, Barça responds

Luis Enrique logically reacted and replaced the helpless Marco Asensio, surprising starter, with Bradley Barcola while replacing Lucas Hernandez at right-back and Marquinhos in the center. PSG also seriously raised their level of intensity in midfield to suddenly suffocate the visitors. Dembélé thus took advantage of a bad opponent’s dismissal to equalize with a sharp left shot under the bar (1-1, 48th).

The former Blaugrana scored his second goal with PSG. Barça was stunned and lost again less than two minutes later to the restless and biting Vitinha (2-1, 50th). Paris held the visitors by the throat and Barcola shot on the crossbar (55th). Xavi, however, had a hollow nose when launching Pedri (61st) whose axial opening allowed Raphinha to equalize with a nice volley in the race (2-2, 62nd).

In a wild last half hour, Raphinha called on Donnarumma for a free kick (70th) then Dembélé shot at Marc-André ter Stegen’s post (75th). Barely off the bench, Christensen headed in from a corner in front of a passive Donnarumma and gave the visitors the advantage (2-3, 77th). Kylian Mbappé remained silent until the end against Jules Koundé and Ronald Araujo. He will have to do much better next Tuesday in Barcelona if Paris wants to reverse a poorly started situation.

Kylian Mbappé (PSG) in the duel with Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona), Wednesday April 10, 2024. / Champions League

Credit: Getty Images

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