Champions League – PSG held in check by Benfica Lisbon despite a goal from Mbappé (1-1)

PSG, like Benfica, have taken a small step towards qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The two teams offered us a repetitive bis of last week’s match, and were therefore unable to decide (1-1). Despite an unfavorable context after insistent rumors about Mbappé’s desires elsewhere, the capital club avoided adding to itself a sporting crisis, even if it has a third draw in a row, in all competitions. Kylian Mbappé, indeed holder, held his rank by scoring a penalty. It was not enough to allow his team to win after a generally closed meeting. It will also be necessary to monitor the condition of the ankle of the French striker, who could be forfeited for the shock against OM scheduled for Sunday.

Not much more is known about Group H of the Champions League after the double confrontation between PSG and Benfica, the two contenders for the first place. No doubt paralyzed by the media turmoil for some and a complicated trip to manage for others, the 22 actors never really knew how to wrap a promising poster on paper. Without Lionel Messi, who is nursing an ankle, PSG relied, offensively, on the often futile accelerations of Kylian Mbappé and the few differences made by Neymar, who got a lot of whistles. Overall, the game leaned a little too much to the left for the Parisians, against the Portuguese who understood this and defended well. As proof, Odysseas Vlachodimos did not have a single stop to make.

Mbappé took responsibility

Christophe Galtier’s men still found a way to open the scoring. Launched on… the left, Juan Bernat was mowed down in the box and the referee did not hesitate for a second when whistling a penalty. We expected the specialist Neymar to take care of it, but this time the hierarchy was respected. Mbappé seized the ball to take responsibility and, solid in his head, took Odysseas perfectly on the wrong foot (1-0, 40th). This goal was neither deserved nor undeserved, as we were very bored in front of this first act where no one dared to take over. It was a bit long for an observation round. At least PSG were ahead.

The Parisians have never sought to shine in this match. Benfica Lisbon either, in fact. However, the Lisbon people were not asked when Marco Verratti was guilty of a fault at the entrance to his area. The referee needed the VAR to award another penalty, transformed without any problem by Joao Mario against a Gianluigi Donnarumma who had to find the long time (1-1, 62nd). There was still half an hour left for PSG to force the decision and snatch a qualification in extremis. Unfortunately, without a real collective binder, he was unable to find the rebound that would have allowed him to sign a victory, even if Mbappé came close to a double on a nice acrobatic return spoiled by an offside position ( 86th).

Once again insufficient, not to say worrying, PSG will have to wait to find out their fate in the Champions League. With his 8 points in his pocket and taking into account the defeat of Juve against Maccabi Haifa, he remains on favorable waivers. He could have just made it a little easier for himself. The real concern is rather in the short term: out as a precaution, Mbappé may be added to the list of absentees for the Classic against Marseille. Beyond the performances which are far from encouraging, the capital club is really sticking out its tongue.