PSG beat FC Barcelona at home on Tuesday in the quarter-final of the Champions League (4-1, 6-4 on aggregate). Paris dominated the Catalans who lost the thread of the match.
Published on: 04/16/2024 – 11:00 p.m. Modified on: 04/16/2024 – 11:19 p.m.
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Three goals conceded, three red cards and countless yellows… FC Barcelona lost track of their match against PSG on Tuesday April 16. The Parisians won 4-1 at the Montjuic Olympic stadium to snatch their ticket to the semi-final of the Champions League (6-4 on aggregate).
History had to be changed, and the Parisians did it: until then, no French team had qualified for the next round in C1 after losing the first leg at home.
“PSG has never been able to qualify after losing in the first leg but, tomorrow (Tuesday), we will do it,” promised Luis Enrique.
As in the first leg, the match started badly for Paris. Raphinha struck the Parisians again by opening the scoring with a cross from Yamal (15th, 1-0). An unwelcome goal since Paris had dominated the match until then.
But Luis Enrique’s PSG did not panic. He continues to grow, notably thanks to the very active Dembele and Barcola. The first causes the expulsion of Ronald Araujo (29th) while the second equalizes just before half-time (40th, 1-1). Whistled at each ball taken by the Olympic stadium, the former Barcelona player thus offered the most beautiful response to the public.
Paris continued its momentum in the second half thanks to a long-range strike from Achraf Hakimi (54th, 2-1). In the process, Xavi received a red card after a protest that was far too vehement in the eyes of referee Istvan Kovacs, in sheriff mode this evening as he followed it up by expelling an assistant of the Catalan.
Dembélé in good shape
Too discreet and not effective enough during the first leg, Kylian Mbappé, expected to join Real Madrid next season, was eagerly awaited and was also heavily whistled as if he already belonged to the White House. A little more prominent this evening, he showed composure by taking the penalty (3-1, 61st) caused by the inevitable Ousmane Dembélé.
And then he delivered all his own at the end of the match, celebrating his double below the 3,000 Parisian ultras around all his teammates. PSG and Mbappé took off (4-1, 89th) after a mix-up in the Barcelona area and despite a double save from Ter Stegen. But the French striker took advantage of a delivery from Jules Koundé at his feet to deceive the Parisian goalkeeper.
As in this image when he left, Ousmane Dembélé was smiling throughout the meeting, despite the whistles and insults from his former audience.
Dembouz fits the definition “football is a game” so much. pic.twitter.com/fX3ulzpSbq— EspoirsduFootball (@EspoirsduFoot) April 16, 2024
Beaten tactically by his former teammate Xavi during the first round, Luis Enrique, who had decided to align his usual attack with Barcola, Dembélé and Mbappé, managed to perfectly manage Robert Lewandowski and his fixing work.
The depth was also better managed by the defense of Lucas Hernandez and Marquinhos, again in the center and who saved his team on several occasions (73rd, 88th) not failing to celebrate his interventions with angry fists.
With AFP
