Beaten by AC Milan, PSG puts itself in danger in the Champions League

Given the one-sided first leg, won with authority by PSG (3-0), AC Milan could only improve. The Lombard club did much better on Tuesday at home, winning its first match in this Champions League campaign (2-1). A success which completely relaunches him in the qualifying race in the round of 16, two days before the end of the group stage. Combined with that of Dortmund, earlier against Newcastle (2-0), this result drops Paris to second place in Group F, behind Borussia. Not really what he was hoping for when he went to Italy, when he could take a big step towards the next round.

Not really what he was heading towards after opening the score quickly, through Milan Skriniar, from a corner (9th). In an open start to the match, where the two teams went blow for blow, last season’s C1 semi-finalists quickly equalized on an acrobatic return from the untenable Rafael Leao (12th, see below). On two occasions, Kylian Mbappé could have allowed his team to get back in front, but he lacked spontaneity in front of Mike Maignan (15th and 25th). In the process, Ousmane Dembélé saw his shot hit the crossbar (27th). Paris’ luck had already passed.

Because in the second half, apart from a shot on the post from Lee Kang-in (88th), Luis Enrique’s players showed nothing significant. Logically, they conceded a second goal, by Olivier Giroud with a header (50th). On a free kick, Theo Hernandez then forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to relax to avoid a heavier score (63rd), as in front of Noah Okafor (85th). After conceding at least one goal in each of the last fifteen away games in C1, the Parisians have once again demonstrated incredible defensive fragility. They now have two matches remaining to avoid the indignity of a first round elimination under the Qatari era.

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Olivier Giroud (37 years and 38 days) became the oldest French goalscorer in Champions League history, ahead of Laurent Blanc (36 years and 338 days).

The player: Leao is of a very high level

After such a performance, we understand better why AC Milan included a release clause of 170 million euros by extending his contract until 2028, in May. Rafael Leao showed the full extent of his qualities against PSG. Skillful in the finish like his spectacular goal (12th), but also fast, powerful and enduring, the former Lille player (24 years old) chained accelerations and back and forths, forcing Achraf Hakimi to defend a lot, against his nature. Also precise in the short game, he sometimes got out of delicate situations thanks to his technique. A full match for the 23rd ex-Ligue 1 player to score against Paris in C1.