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Manchester United really had a night of horror at Old Trafford as Kylian Mbappe's climb continued. Meanwhile, a new teenage hero appeared as Roma beat Porto.
It's an extension of the Champions League!
NIGHT OF HORROR UNITED
It was Manchester United's biggest European night in years, but their clash with PSG could not have been worse. The 2-0 defeat was the first loss to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the head of the Red Devils, while United scored the smallest number of shots on goal in a Champions League home encounter for the first time since February 2005 ( 1).
PSG cuts through United
1:07
Their way to the quarterfinals seems almost impossible, with a deficit of two goals to be eliminated in Paris. In fact, no team in their difficult situation has ever progressed. Of the 34 teams that lost the first game of a knockout match in the competition by at least two goals in the past, none have managed to turn the tide.
Incredibly, it was the first time in United's history that he lost two or more at home in Europe. A reality test for the Solskjaer era.
BORING BEGINS
The Champions League finally came back into the night after a three-month break, and the hype was palpable, but the first 45 minutes did not really reflect it.
In fact, it's probably the most boring first half we've seen in the competition matches so far this season.
Rome and Porto have only managed five shots in a tense opening – the lowest total of all Champions League matches so far this iteration. United and PSG did not do much better, with six combined, the second less equal.
5 – Worse record of shooting in the first half of the Champions League match this season:
Rome – Porto (Tonight): 5
Manchester United – Paris (Tonight): 6
Napoli-Liverpool (3/10/2018): 6
Atlético de Madrid – Monaco (28/11/2018): 6
Boring.#MUNPSG pic.twitter.com/RbsX1c2FEc
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 12, 2019
Di Maria sprays old fans
0:46
Remarkably, it was the first time since April 2015 that the French champions failed to score a shot on goal in the first half in Europe.
Fortunately, things improved after the break in both games.
MBAPPE IS NUTS
In the absence of stars Neymar and Edinson Cavani, many people have hinted that the hopes of PSG rested on the shoulders of Kylian Mbappe, a phenomenon of 20 years.
He did not disappoint.
The monstrous young pistol was completely retrograde at Old Trafford, and United had few answers in terms of speed and quality. Mbappe scored the second goal of the Ligue 1 giants to ensure that his outstanding record of failing to score or attend a Champions League game remained intact.
Kylian Mbappé scored or badisted away from home against all the British clubs he faced in European competition:
?️ vs. Spurs
⚽️ against Man City
⚽️ vs Celtic
⚽️ vs. Liverpool
⚽️ vs. Man UtdDo what Napoleon could never do … pic.twitter.com/EC5OsgP84W
– Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 12, 2019
He has now started eleven times in the competition, scoring 10 goals and providing four badists. His record is now tied with the Brazilian legend Ronaldo (14 years) with a dozen of his striking strikes from home.
It was his first nudge since his teenage years.
His amazing ascent continues.
TEEN STAR EMERGENT
Mbappe no longer being a teenager, a new candidate has emerged to badume the role of the world's most exciting football talent.
Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo made good progress after scoring twice to give Roma a 2-1 win over Porto in their first leg at Stadio Olimpico. His pair of finishes were skilfully taken and also saw him catch some statistical marks.
The youngest #UCL scorer of the playoff rounds since Mbappe (May 2017)
⚽️ Second youngest to score a double, behind Mbappe (April 2017)
The youngest Italian striker in Rome in the competitionNicolo Zaniolo has announced in the Champions League! ? pic.twitter.com/Aym1YUoK7U
– Goal (@goal) February 12, 2019
A new star was born in Rome
0:42
He became the youngest striker in the tournament's eighth-finals since Mbappe made him go in May 2017, and the second youngest to score a double since Mbappe (April 17).
Zaniolo also badumes the role of Italy's youngest Italian striker in competition.
Welcome to the big moment!
Buffon continues to go
Gianluigi Buffon is an institution of the Champions League and he started for a ridiculous 121st time between the heats while PSG fought United.
Another appearance in the competition propels him into the top 10 of all time, alongside many legends of football, while he is also part of a pantheon of goalkeepers made by a few privileged.
Gianluigi Buffon is now in the top 10 of the Champions League games! ?
?? Casillas 174
?? Ronaldo 158
?? Xavi 151
?? Raul 142
??????? Giggs 141
?? Iniesta 130
?? Messi 129
?? Seedorf 125
??????? Scholes 124
?? Buffon 121The only one out there not to have won … #UCL pic.twitter.com/7cs39jDMIN
– Goal (@goal) February 12, 2019
After keeping United scoreless, he scored his 50th white sheet in the best tournament in Europe, becoming the third to date. He is not in bad company either, with Iker Casillas and Edwin Van Der Sar, the only other blockers to have ever crossed this stage.
But the best revelation of his last performance is no doubt the recognition that Buffon made his Champions League debut even before opposition striker Marcus Rashford was born!
The Italian legend debuted on August 13, 1997 – 79 days before the birth of Rashford on October 31 of the same year.
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