Florenzi’s joy contrasts with Yamal’s frustration. Action Plus / Panoramic / Graham Wilson / Proshots / Panoramic / Erik Pasman
TOPS/FLOPS – The Milanese mentally, Newcastle misses the inevitable… find out what caught the attention of our journalist this Wednesday evening.
TOPS
AC Milan, what character
At the hour mark, the Rossoneri seemed without a solution. Without a game plan. Without a leader. But it was without counting on a mentality of steel, to finally overthrow Newcastle at the end (2-1). Despite Leao’s return, Milan’s offensives were weak. Or even non-existent. Before Pulisic, on a one-touch delivery from Giroud, pushed into the back of the net (59th). At the same time, PSG regained their smile somewhat while the Magpies began to doubt. The domination is reversed, the Milanese coaching is doing good and, on the counterattack, Okafor and Chukwueze, freshly entered into play, will make the difference. The first goes on the counter, shifts to his right and the second finds the opposite net (84th). In the stands, the English supporters look grim. The Rossoneri are exultant. AC Milan, despite its inconsistency, saves the day and will play in the Europa League. Mentally.
Galeno, him again
Little seen in the league (1 goal in 11 matches), Wenderson Galeno makes up for it in the Champions League. The Brazilian, already a scorer twice in the first leg and decisive passer on the third goal, once again led Porto to victory this Wednesday evening against Shakhtar (5-3). The former Braga player opened the scoring on a serve from Evanislon (9th). A good surface fox, Galeno doubled the lead just before half-time, deceiving the opposing goalkeeper with a heavy right-footed shot without control. The icing on the cake was that the Porto player delivered a nice assist to Taremi on the third goal (62nd). More discreet at the end of the match, he let his teammates finish the job. The Portuguese club owes its qualification in the 8th in part to its scorer.
Antwerp, for honor and pleasure
With 0 points, the Belgian club’s European adventure quickly came to an end. So before the reception of the Barcelona leader this Wednesday, the time was not for optimism. And yet… From the start, the Belgians marked their territory thanks to Vermeeren’s goal (2nd). Without trembling and after Torres’ equalizer, Alderweireld’s teammates remained united. Janssen put his team back in front (56th) after seeing one of his goals refused for an offside position. Same philosophy at the end of the game, with an (almost) unexpected goal from Ilenikhena, a luxury finisher. With this success, Antwerp will be able to get off to a good start with the championship in their sights.
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FLOPS
Newcastle or how to scuttle yourself
In 40 minutes, Newcastle went from a Champions League round of 16 to complete elimination on the European stage. Largely dominant, the Magpies let go of the match. Ineffective coaching, tired defense, lack of realism… The English missed the inevitable this Wednesday evening. And they will be able to bite their fingers, they who had largely beaten PSG in October (4-1) before having won a draw at the Parc des Princes (1-1) in November.
Barça’s complacency
Xavi’s men traveled without pressure to Antwerp to face Royal Antwerp, bottom of the group. But they obviously did not take their evening opponent seriously. The Catalans lost (3-2) and could even have conceded a fourth goal if Janssen had not been flagged offside. At the end of the match, while Guiu for Barça thought he had given his team the point of a draw (90+1), Jules Koundé’s teammates collapsed. And conceded, almost on the dismissal, a goal from Ilenikhena (90+2nd). Like Lewandowski once again silent and discreet, Barcelona will have to do much better in the round of 16 to hope to aim higher.
