CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – PSG wins ahead of Juventus (2-1) with a double from Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé hovered above the Parc des Princes. The Parisian offered himself a double against Juventus to launch his European season on Tuesday evening. The French striker above all allowed his team to finally beat Juventus, the capital club’s pet peeve, after the ninth confrontation. The Parisians suffered in the second half and welcomed the final whistle with relief.

Undefeated in the league after six days, Christophe Galtier completed his baptism of fire on the continental scene at the head of Paris Saint-Germain. The French coach was to move on to the European revealer after a failed first campaign with Lille in a strong group in 2019/2020 (1 draw, 5 defeats against Chelsea, Ajax and Valencia).

Galtier provided a first element of response since history will remember that PSG obtained, under his orders, their first success against Juventus (2-1). So far, the confrontations with the Transalpins had ended in two draws and six defeats, a series in progress before this ninth round which turned in favor of the Parisians in favor of a controlled first half.

The Italian low block was quickly shattered

The Old Lady suffered in front of the fiery legs of Kylian Mbappé, author of a magnificent double on Tuesday evening, and the inspirations of an irresistible Neymar. Les Rouge et Bleu had to hit hard and fast in this game to avoid being fooled by the Italian low block. The French striker shattered it for the first time in the fifth minute, when he converted a ladle from the Brazilian with a half-volley into the side netting (1-0, 5th).

It was the first strike for Galtier’s men in this 2022-2023 Champions League. The second attempt on target came 17 minutes later to a similar conclusion. Faced with an apathetic Juve, who were waiting feverishly in their 16.50 meters, the Parisians settled around the Turin camp, chaining the movements to find the opening. Mbappé’s second goal was initiated by a triangle game, Marco Verratti finding the Bondynois, who asked Achraf Hakimi for a one-two. The last gesture? Still lethal: a new half-volley in the middle of the race (2-0, 22nd), which places Mbappé one goal away from Ferenc Puskas (36) and the Top 20 of the top scorers in the Champions League

Neymar was waiting for Mbappé’s offering

This Old Lady certainly has nothing to do with that of yesteryear, dashing, always quick to make Parisians dance during the nightmarish evenings of the 80s and 90s, she remains dangerous all the same when she is allowed to climb into the Last 30 opposing meters. This was especially seen with the appearance of Winston McKennie. Launched at the break, the American transformed his team, which nevertheless passed close to the correctional on a 50-meter race from Mbappé concluded with an unscrewed strike (51st). In the background, Neymar was waiting for an offering…

The punishment did not take long. Under the impetus of the newcomer, Juve finally exploited the sides and stretched their game. The reduction of the gap came on a corner quickly played on the left and a cross from Filip Kostic. Released at the wrong time, Gianluigi Donnarumma, imperial on his line in front of Arkadiusz Milik (19th), was deceived by McKennie, who rose higher than Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes (2-1, 54th).

While their attacking trio have evolved in the right way to achieve a semblance of fullness, PSG are still PSG when the pressure gets too much, and the clock has been feverishly scrutinized after this goal. Donnarumma redeemed himself by heading out a header from Dusan Vlahovic (56th) and a strike from Manuel Locatelli (81st), and the Parisians resumed their march forward in the final minutes, the success less. The defense held on until the final whistle, welcomed as a relief by Galtier’s troops and their supporters. The European season is on, the specter of Juventus is already far behind. In a week, we will have to fight new demons on the lawn of Maccabi Haifa.