PSG taught Bayer Leverkusen a lesson in the Champions League (2-7). Find the tops and flops of this very lively meeting.
TOPS
PSG honors its status
Put Europe back on its feet. A few months after their coronation, PSG did not sink into complacency and had a perfect start to the European campaign in every way. Luis Enrique’s men sent a new message to their competitors this Tuesday, by inflicting real humiliation on Bayer Leverkusen (2-7). More than the individuals, it was the collective as a whole which cracked the current fifth in the Bundesliga standings, despite a notable relaxation during the first period. As soon as it decided to accelerate, the Parisian machine did not pay attention to details and took away everything in its path. Under the eyes of a BayArena quickly silenced.
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Vitinha, Monsieur Propre
A service close to perfection. Yet without his usual friends Fabián Ruiz and João Neves, injured, Vitinha made a splash at his class meeting. The Portuguese, omnipresent in the midfield (135 balls), dictated the tempo of the match. At the origin of numerous offensives, like his inspired backheel on Doué’s first goal, or his huge breakthrough before serving Nuno Mendes at the start of the second half. As clean as ever, with almost 99% successful passes, he completed his work by scoring PSG’s seventh and final goal, with a tense shot at the edge of the area. Great art.
Doué sounded the revolt
At 1-1 at ten against ten, the outcome of this match was once again uncertain. But Désiré Doué quickly put an end to the suspense. Aligned in a role of false No. 9 and at the origin of the expulsion of Andrich, the former Rennais woke up PSG at the best moment, by offering himself a double before the break. First scorer at the end of an ultra-fast sequence, he deceived poor Flekken a second time, with a beautiful curling shot. Luis Enrique decided to replace him with Hernandez at the break for tactical reasons, but the French international had already won his match.
FLOPS
Zabarnyi’s horrible performance
The big black point of the meeting on the Parisian side. Author of a generally mixed debut since his arrival last summer, for more than €60 million, Illya Zabarnyi has hit rock bottom on the BayArena pitch. The Ukrainian international, associated with Pacho in the central hinge, completely broke down during his team’s relaxation in the first half. With a total of two penalties conceded and a red card received following his gross foul on Kofane. Returning to the locker room with his head down, the former Bournemouth defender risks paying for this failed performance. Especially since Marquinhos, left on the bench, is ready to resume competition.
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Andrich and cracked
An inexplicable gesture. And fraught with consequences. By deliberately elbowing Doué in the face after half an hour of play, Robert Andrich received a red card without discussion. And literally abandoned his team in this meeting. A shame for a captain… Reorganized to four after this expulsion, the Bayer defense completely collapsed, in a match which risks leaving traces in the suburbs of Cologne.
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Grimaldo not at the level
Bayer was weighed down by its executives this Tuesday. Usually so decisive in his left lane, Alejandro Grimaldo did not escape the shipwreck. And yet, he had the opportunity to tie the two teams, but his penalty hit the outside of Chevalier’s post. A damaging failure, especially since the Bundesliga club was still playing with eleven players at this point in the match. Defensively suffering, like his big mistake on Kvaratskhelia’s goal at the end of the first period.
