At the Parc des Princes,
Losing a Champions League match at home to thank the ultras for their work to put on a show before (and during) the match, you had to think about it. On the scale of ingratitude, PSG lands there. By declaring Star Wars at FC Barcelona through a Star Wars tifo in three acts – intro like in the films, Barça as Darth Vader and Paris as Yoda – the Auteuil turn surely expected to make the visitors tremble. However, on Wednesday, fear was on the Parisian side. More precisely in defense and in the goal of Gigio Donnarumma.
A quick preamble before giving the Italian goalkeeper a helping hand: his start was rather good, even promising. His exit full of personality on the laser opening of Ter Stegen and the first cagade of Beraldo saves Paris from a cold shower in the 5th minute. The positive ends there. Unlike his predecessor Keylor Navas, the former Milanese confirms over the seasons that he has not inherited the gift of his predecessor Keylor Navas, who always knew how to sublimate himself during major events.
Gigio’s mistakes
18th: Saved on his line by Nuno Mendes on a corner where the Italian had gone fishing for mussels
22nd: Diverts the ball into Raphinha’s feet. More unfortunate than at fault on this one.
76th: Does not go out on a corner (even though it is shaped like an American fridge) and leaves Christiansen the opportunity to slam a header under his nose.
Not a great result for the Squadra Azzurra goalkeeper, but let’s admit that he was not put in the best position by his defensive line, starting with Beraldo. The Brazilian, who until now had a tendency to tread water, turned into an anvil at the worst moment. From his swings in concentration on replacement during attack-defense transitions to his lost duels through unusual losses of balls, the PSG stopper screwed up his match long, wide and across. The second goal is the consequence of a poor recovery on his part and on the first, he is also late.
Xavi won the tactical battle
More generally, and especially in the first period, it was the entire Parisian defense that suffered. Even Nuno Mendes, by far the best behind, is involved in a Barça goal (the first). “I think it was a little too open, perhaps that’s why we had difficulties,” Marquinhos commented on Canal+ after the meeting. We were playing very high, in individual marking, and they had practiced breaking this line to find Lewandowski. » A nice tactical move from Xavi, who had anticipated that Luis Enrique would concrete his midfield to win the battle for possession… which he was ultimately the only one to lead. By skipping the middle, Barça automatically eliminated five players (Lee, Dembélé, Vitinha, Ruiz and Asensio) and directly put pressure on the defenders, who were very quickly overwhelmed.
The Paris Saint-Germain coach also highlights the pressure that can be improved in the offensive sector when the ball is lost. “We know that we have to work on high pressure, we need players capable of defending Lewandowski and Raphinha, and we will have to have more offensive pressure in Barcelona. This qualification will depend on small details and we have to work on these details for the return match.” It would be good, if only to try to redeem himself in front of the Parc public in the semi-final.