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Champions League: Paris in half hard

An express “remount” as a birthday present and the hope of a historic European coronation in three matches, still alive: PSG, 2-1 snatch winner of Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday in Lisbon, s’ is qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League on his fiftieth birthday. On the brink of the abyss since Mario Pasalic’s opening scoring (27e) and from yet another European disillusion, the Parisian leap came from a vice-captain who never gave up until the “95e minute ”and an always exemplary replacement: Marquinhos (90e) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (90th + 3) saved the 50th anniversary, as well as the title hopes in the most prestigious of European competitions. “You had to believe in it until the end, that’s what we did. We missed a few opportunities to unblock this match but football goes there, by motivation, by faith ”, savored “Marqui” on RMC Sport.

Absent from the last four of the C1 since 1995, Paris did not miss a golden opportunity to repeat the best course in its history when it blows out its 50th candle. “Honestly, we need this to change the mindset. Something is blocking us a bit but today I promise you that the players all want to give 200% more », stressed President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

Considered the best possible draw before the match, Bergamo has yet failed to reveal the shortcomings of the Thomas Tuchel era since his arrival on the bench in 2018. PSG have long been incapable, as much by clumsiness as by lack of rhythm, to get rid of the Lombard club while Neymar has tried everything: the special “mohican” cup for the big event, the gris-gris of great evenings, the acceleration of major matches … Without success!

Neymar, cursed hero

After breaking the curse of injuries, the curse of eighths, and waiting five months after the incredible paralysis of competitions caused by the coronavirus, everything was in place for the Brazilian No.10 to shine 50 years to the day after the foundation official PSG, August 12, 1970. But after his huge missed opportunity at the start of the match, the entire Parisian clan in the stands took the lead in both hands, incredulous. As if the turning point of the match had already taken place in the 3e minute of play. After initiating the action himself, relying on Icardi with a subtle deflection, “Ney” opened his way to the goal on his own by perforating the defense with a full-axis supersonic run. But once alone against the goalkeeper, he opened his foot too much while the goal seemed certain …

Aligned in an offensive trident where he often appeared as a false No. 9, the Brazilian was at the heart of all the offensives. But unable to be decisive in the zone of truth, as in this one-two perfectly played on the left side that he was unable to achieve once again after a long race (19e).

Concentrated and diligent, Atalanta also relied on the paw of his n ° 10, “Papu” Gomez, to make a difference. On his center in the back of the defense, the right piston Hateboer saw his dangerous head being pushed back in extremis by Keylor Navas, very vigilant (11e).

Mbappé, winning entry

But on a billiards stroke, Bergamo ended up opening the scoring. In the snatch, Duvan Zapata managed to counter a ball poorly cleared by Kimpembe near the surface. Mario Pasalic, alone and on the lookout, did not miss the opportunity to deceive Navas with an unstoppable coiled left strike (1-0, 27e). Once again Neymar could have brought his team back to equality. But he missed a huge gift (42e). Despite the sound and raucous encouragement of Keylor Navas, perceptible on the other side of the field, the Parisians let themselves be lulled by the false rhythm of the Italians, who multiplied the faults.

The hour of play precipitated the entry into play of Mbappé. Directly placed on the left wing, his pep brought dynamism and scoring opportunities like this raid that he was unable to conclude (74e, 80e). “His entry gave an energy to PSG who were losing the match, it was fundamental because of what he brought” can only deplore Gian Piero Gasperini, the coach of Atalanta Bergamo, at the end of the match.

Navas’ injury was however the detonator of a completely crazy scenario: first with the equalizing goal of Marquinhos on a center-shot from Neymar (1-1, 90th), then on the perfect pass from Mbappé to Choupo- Moting (2-1, 90 + 3), just after coming into play. Two already legendary goals.

AFP

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