Paris-SG achieved a first-rate performance in order to have Manchester City (2-0) on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
A success that counts twice. In a gala poster between two of the contenders for the final victory in the Champions League, PSG disposed of Manchester City on Tuesday (2-0), at the Parc des Princes, on behalf of the second day of the group stage. Gana Gueye and Lionel Messi have scored. Three points which allow Paris (4 pts) to take the lead of group A, ahead of Bruges (4 pts), City (3) and Leipzig (0).
Parisians like grown-ups
As often, the Parisians attacked the match from the right end, just technically, generous in the effort. Enough to hold out against Pep Guardiola’s men. On a center back from Mbappé, Neymar was hole, not Gueye (1-0, 8th). Logical advantage, even if the opportunities did not rain on the Mancunian goal. The trend would be reversed. If they hadn’t hit until the 26th minute, the Skyblues were more than close to scoring, with Sterling and Bernardo Silva finding the bar in quick succession. The England international was unhappy on this beautiful head at six meters and the former Monegasque, he could blame himself: he was only one meter from the line. A miracle for PSG, which suffered more and more, Donnarumma having the opportunity to shine (32nd, 42nd). Errors too, with for example Kimpembe who was slow to clear (29th). Finally finding space, Mbappé was still close to offering the goal of the break to Herrera then Marquinhos (38th). This first period ended with 1-0 and… 11 against 11, even if De Bruyne could (should?) Receive a red card for a sole on Gueye (39th).
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City left with the same intentions but stumbled on the Parisian block, solid and united. And on Donnarumma (54th). Spaces, the Parisian arrows had in the back of a defense more and more distant from its bases. Mbappé and company, however, did not manage to take advantage of it. Not yet. The danger was approaching with this cons roundly led and a boulevard that opened in front of Neymar, who found the small net (65th). And it was Messi who was in charge of spicing up the addition, after a magnificent one-two with Mbappé at the entrance to the area (2-0, 74th). Already boiling, the Park was even more inflamed… Great evenings atmosphere at the Porte de Saint-Cloud, for a great evenings performance. Donnarumma was in tune, stopping the attempt of the Parisian executioner in the semi-finals, last season, Mahrez (79th). The sign that nothing could happen to Mauricio Pochettino’s players, who pocketed the three points against their most serious rival in Group A (2-0 final score).
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Paris, successful test
They have “not always convincing in the game“On the last matches, as Abdou Diallo noted after Montpellier, but the Parisians were able to raise their level and responded on Tuesday evening. Faced with another European cador, champion of England and finalist of the last C1, they pulled out all the stops. Of course, not everything was perfect. PSG have nevertheless shown that they can play as a team. Including in the face of what is done best in Europe in terms of play and a collective “in advanceAs Pochettino said before the game. “Anything can happen in a soccer matchHe added. Well seen. Return match on November 24, at the Etihad Stadium this time.
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Messi and Donnarumma, first
Evening of premieres for Messi and Donnarumma. First goal in Paris for the 34-year-old Argentine legend, who now has an unreal record of 121 achievements in the Champions League. And first outing in C1 for the young (22 years old) European champion. And what a start… Seven stops, a center captured and three clearances in the fist for the former Milanese, reassuring. What about the tireless performance of Gueye, in the oven and in the mill beyond its purpose … Indispensable, quite simply, like the ghost Verratti, in a completely different style of course. Below his high standards lately, Marquinhos, he regained his authority on Tuesday, while he only missed a goal for the services of Neymar, more needy than brilliant, and especially Mbappé, in legs , at the origin of the first and decisive passer on the second, is even more beautiful. Hakimi, Mendes and Herrera also did the job, each in their roles. Kimpembe, a little less.
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