From our envoy to Signal Iduna Park,
Did Paris Saint-Germain see themselves as too good? Announced as having one foot in the final after qualifying against FC Barcelona, the French champion came up against the yellow wall of Dortmund on Wednesday evening (1-0 defeat), who will remain undefeated at home in the Champions League this season. If the die is far from being cast since there remains a decisive return match at the Parc des Princes next Tuesday, Luis Enrique’s men confirm their unfortunate penchant for reaction. Here they are once again forced to reverse the score 90 minutes from the final at Wembley.
A first period in reverse
It could not be otherwise. Niclas Fülkrug’s cool-headed opener in the 35th minute was the predictable finale to a cataclysmic first half for Paris Saint-Germain. A just punishment for all the stammering of Nuno Mendes, the filthy wanderings of Fabian Ruiz (this restart in the axis in the feet of Brandt, my God…), the dribbling of too many Dembélé, the absence of Mbappé, the sluggishness collective and the emotional feverishness of Marquinhos. The Brazilian rewarded us with a celebration which he has the secret of on an offside signal against Borussia (30th) after being deprived of oxygen for two minutes under the effect of the opposing pressure.
Not a great image sent back to Edin Terzic’s men, pumped up with adrenaline and testosterone sent by the yellow wall. Ironically, it was on the only exercise where Luis Enrique’s men had previously shown themselves to be impeccable – the management of the defensive line by the axials and the calls behind the back – that they were punished. Gigio Donnarumma, to whom Paris already owed its survival at this point in the game, was unable to extend the miracle. Three decisive saves at half-time including a break point for the Germans, thank you Italy.
A jet plane, peanut pirouette
The score but also the force of habit prohibited any catastrophism at the break. Luis Enrique’s talks have proven enough in the past to know that his men would not return to the pitch with the same intentions. If we put aside a huge blunder by Beraldo, who entered in place of Lucas Hernandez (left with an injury in the 40th), the Parisians very quickly took matters in hand in the second half. They even came close to extinguishing a strangely less fiery Südtribune when Mbappé then Hakimi collided with their team’s posts (51st). Or when Fabian Ruiz, on a brilliant call in the area, sent a diving header a little too far to the right (55th).
After a slight lull, it was Kolo-Muani’s turn to sow – in vain – discord in the yellow surface on a small, subtle opening for the Kyks. Ten minutes from the end, Ousmane Dembélé decided to get into wine by harvesting an offering of Hakimi right on the surface. Even Vitinha, the man in good shape of the moment, was unable to overcome bad luck (81st). When it doesn’t want…
Hope, all the same
Let’s see the glass half full. Imprecise, Luis Enrique’s players survived counter situations which could have cooled their enthusiasm, with Füllkrug and Sancho, once again, in the role of disruptors. But the defense, like Marquinhos’ “copy and paste” save at the end of the match, never gave up. Finally, we can say that even while playing poorly, even with Kolo-Muani and Beraldo on the pitch, Paris Saint-Germain created a mountain of chances. It’s hard to imagine Dortmund showing the same resilience at the Parc des Princes, as much as we imagine a much more effective PSG at home next week. Finally, the superstitious will always be able to say that the ignition delay worked out quite well for them the previous round.