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Beat Liverpool or live the humiliation of an elimination in the group stage of the Champions League. This was the challenge proposed to Paris Saint-Germain players this Wednesday night. Beaten in Liverpool in the first leg, Thomas Tuchel's men were expected at the turn. And to shake the Reds, the German coach has chosen a rather surprising starting composition, with a flat 4-4-2 with Di Maria on the right and Neymar on the left, and the duo Mbappé-Cavani in tip. The Parisians started off drumming, with a first situation born of a deep pass from Di Maria to Mbappé, who crushed his shot (3rd). After a good collective movement on the left side, Di Maria offered a half-volley shot that forced Alisson to relax (6th). Paris had made a good start, with a high and efficient pressing, but he had to be wary of the Liverpool counter. Marquinhos was watching in extremis before Salah (9th), who went alone to the goal.
PSG would be rewarded for their initial efforts with the opening of the score signed … Juan Bernat. Already a striker in Naples, the left side recovered a poorly cleared ball by Van Dijk after a Mbappé center and shot with the right foot to deceive, with a bit of luck, Alisson (1-0, 13th). Full of determination, the capital club showed a character that was not suspected yet this season, like a leaping Thiago Silva. But it was necessary to prevent excesses of enthusiasm, as on a very dangerous ball loss of Kimpembe, wanting to dribble in its surface and resumed, which resulted in an unsigned shot by Salah (22nd). The pace fell a little, logical for the Parisians, less for Reds who could not put their game. The PSG was again dangerous after a nice rise of ball, Neymar serving Mbappé left side. The Frenchman was trying to serve Cavani at his center, but Alisson was welling (33 '). Down on the pitch, the PSG became threatening against, and it quickly materialized. After a ball recovery signed Marquinhos, Neymar could launch Mbappé, still left side. Same pattern, the French served Cavani who stumbled on Alisson, but the ball went back to Neymar who had only to conclude (2-0, 37th)! The break was done, for 8 minutes only. Launched at full speed, Mané was stopped irregularly by Di Maria, author of a tackle as stupid as dangerous. After having designated the corner point, the referee was delighted, helped by his assistants, and awarded the penalty that Milner converted (2-1, 40 + 1e).
A second half under tension
Back in the locker room, PSG thought two goals before, but Marquinhos was reported offside when he had taken a free kick from Neymar. However, it was felt Liverpool came back with better intentions, revived by the goal just before the break. Mané was the biggest threat, with drifting dribbles, and monopolized the attention of Kehrer and Silva, impressive aggression tonight. The Parisians could not put their foot on the ball, stifled by the pressing of the Reds, and systematically searched the depth, without success. And they put themselves in danger defensively, with a Kimpembe often at the limit in his raises. At the hour of play, the PSG really did not look like the first quarter of an hour. Like this surrealist sequence where Neymar harangued the audience while a pass was addressed to him and ended suddenly in touch …
PSG had to rely on the set pieces to be dangerous. Marquinhos jumped so high to take a corner shot by Neymar, but Alisson out a superb reflex stop (70th). Jürgen Klopp, the coach of the Reds, launched Keita and then Sturridge, when Tuchel had released Cavani and Di Maria for Choupo-Moting and Dani Alves. The Brazilian brought his impact in the duels at a time when the PSG suffered too much in this sector. The entrees were good, but Paris was undergoing too much. Neymar was looking for the penalty after an intervention limit Van Dijk (81), Mbappé missed again against the goal after a good service Dani Alves (83), two breaths in a complicated end of the game in which the Reds remained threatening . Bernat made the wrong choice in the counterattack (86th). Was Paris going to pay him? The 5 minutes of extra time was well managed by the Capital club. Who has thus succeeded his survival mission? He is second in his pool with 8 points, 1 behind Napoli who won against Red Star Belgrade, before the last match to play in Serbia.
The man of the match: Thiago Silva (8): a huge first period of determination. We have seen it in every corner of the field, even very high, springing in the opposing feet. He who was sometimes guilty of lack of aggression in the past this time had a communicative energy. His timing in the aerial game was also great for clearing up the balloons. He did not go down in the second half, chasing opponents forwards within 30 meters of Liverpool! A boss match.
PSG:
Buffon (6): a very quiet first period, with few stops to make. He favored the short game in his raises, even if he placed his defenders in a delicate situation. He's off to the wrong side on Milner's penalty kick. In the second half of the year, he was not very much in demand, he was vigilant and full of serenity.
Kehrer (6.5): Miller absent, he took place in the right hall. Forcibly less offensive than the Belgian, he allowed himself a single real rise in the first period. He was content to watch Mané as milk on fire and before his action bringing the penalty, the Senegalese had been overall well taken. More solicited in the second period, he knew how to answer present. Again a good match from the German international, the versatility appreciable.
Silva (8): read above.
Kimpembe (5): he shivered all the spectators of the Parc des Princes by taking ill-considered risks in the revival. In his defense, he was sometimes placed in bad situation by the passes of his teammates and did not have much choice. After losing a hot ball, chased by Salah and Mané, he was no longer embarrassed and cleared, sometimes to the punch. In the duels, he was annoyed by the vivacity and the fleeing side of the Liverpool strikers. A little better in the second period but still dangerous on some raises.
Bernat (7): the Spanish left-back definitely likes the big Champions League matches. Already a striker in Naples the previous day, he has reoffended with a nice goal, with a bit of luck, registered right foot. He was for that present in the surface at the right time, which is to put to his credit. And defensively, he has done rather well against Salah, not dangerous in the end. An excellent match.
Marquinhos (7): middle or third axial defender, the Brazilian shared two positions tonight. With the ball, he was inserted between Thiago Silva and Kimpembe to give an additional solution to the pressing of the offensive trio of the Reds. Without the ball, he lent a helping hand to Verratti in the midfield to get on the opposing circles. We have seen it in the duels, less in the use of the ball. But that his determination was good in the second half, where he saved some hot situations in his area. Author of a huge head on corner exit by Alisson.
Verratti (5,5): a sparkling start to the game, where his shots and his orientations set the pace. Left alone in the middle to revive, he extricated himself from complicated situations thanks to his technique. But he was little by little blocked by the Reds and lost his influence. Guilty of a big mistake on Gomez who could have deserved a red card. Much less in view after the break, surely timid by the yellow card orange received in the first period, but useful late in the game.
Di Maria (4): a good first quarter of an hour and then much more. Placed on the right, it was not used in the relays by its partners. He then rezoned, without more success. But above all, he was guilty of a tackle from behind us useless Mané who has cost a penalty to his own. Invisible also in the second period, it was logically replaced by Dani Alves in the 65th minute. The Brazilian replaced him for post on the right side. And brought his impact in the duels as well as more defensive support.
Neymar (6.5): positioned in the left lane, he quickly accelerated to show he was well recovered and ready to come out a big game. Several breakthroughs at the heart of the game that resulted in good situations. He combined well with Mbappé, a habit, and was able to effectively launch his teammate in space. Well placed to register the second goal in Paris with composure. Replaced in the second half to support Mbappé, he still sought the French but was not served in good conditions to bring the danger.
Mbapped (4,5): a first period overall disappointing despite its contribution to the two goals in Paris, each time with low-down centers to Cavani. He favored the collective option because early in the game, he was a little missed on two strikes, one crushed and the other too soft. It felt less comfortable technically and especially not killer enough to the surface. It was hardly better in the second half, with waste in his dribbling and especially too slow in his transmissions. He missed a new break point at the end of the match after a good service from Dani Alves. He really has to work on finishing to take a new step. Replaced by Adrien Rabiot in the 85th minute.
Cavani (4): present in combat and pressing, as always. Too little in the game, again as often. The Uruguayan has always been present in the surface to wait for the centers, which have been tempted by Mbappé. This resulted in two goals, and on the second, he plays a real role by stumbling on Alisson. For the rest, he was too imprecise in his discounts, even spoiling a good ball against. It was therefore replaced in the 65th minute by Choupo-Moting, which positioned on the left side, allowing Neymar and Mbappé to occupy the axis. He was not found much on his wing, especially trying to block his corridor.
Liverpool:
Alisson (6.5): the Brazilian goalkeeper was quickly defeated in the first act, beaten by Bernat (1-0, 13th) and Neymar (2-0, 37th). However, he made several saves (7th, 12th, 31st, 90th + 1), including a capital against Marquinhos (70th). Frustrating since he could not do anything on his two goals conceded.
Gomez (4): the English defender, holder in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, was at fault on the opening score of Bernat since he remained static on the control of Bernat (1-0, 13th). In difficulty, he was also misplaced on the second goal during the debut of Neymar (2-0, 37th) and was warned after a foul on the Brazilian (34th). In the second half, the Parisian attacks always leaned on his side.
Lovren (4): the Croatian defender was picked up speed by the Parisian attacks in the first act. He played well on a powerful center Kehrer (9th), but his placement has made him at fault on the second goal of PSG (2-0, 37th). Then, he continued to be put in difficulty by Neymar and Mbappé in particular.
Van Dijk (5.5): the Dutch defender began his match with a bad raise that allowed Bernat to open the scoring (1-0, 13th). Then, he made speak his strength and spoke much to his men on the ground. In particular, he made good interventions in the second half
Robertson (6): the Scottish left-back has experienced a first half-hearted period. After making speak his strength against a Di Maria too dangerous, he was unable to hinder Neymar on the second goal in Paris (2-0, 37th), and committed several mistakes. After returning from locker room, he made a superb intervention on a counter Parisian (50th), before saving before Mbappé (84th). He also tried to bring offensively.
Henderson (4,5): the Liverpool captain was little found offensively and had trouble finding his forwards in good position. In the second half, Liverpool played higher and could be more in view. Often found in the heart of the game, he tried to make a difference to Verratti and Marquinhos, without success.
Wijnaldum (4): the middle of the Reds was put in the hard in the first period, with few balloons to put in the tooth in the opposite camp. He was warned of a yellow card for a big foul on Neymar (17th), and made several bad choices. Replaced by Keita (65th), who added a bit of pep to his actions.
Milner (5): the number 7 of the Reds committed several fouls early in the game, late against the vivacity of Paris strikers. However, he reduced the score on penalty (2-1, 45th + 1). In the second half, he tried to bring offensively in the possession phases of the Reds. Replaced by Shaqiri (77th), who failed to bring the surplus number on the few shares of Liverpool.
Mané (5): the Senegalese striker was little seen in the first half until the end of the first act where he caused a penalty after a preventable foul Di Maria (45th). In the second half, he tried to trouble a ruler Kehrer tonight. However, the actions of the Reds passed by his side.
Firmino (4): the Brazilian striker was lonely in the first period when he did not know how to be dangerous. In the second half, he took over a Robertson center without managing to fit his head (59th). A very complicated match for the Brazilian striker Replaced by Sturridge (71st)who has not managed to be dangerous.
Salah (4,5): little found at the beginning of the match, the Egyptian has armed a first shot that missed (22nd). He was then close to cutting a long ball Henderson, without success (44th). In the second half, he tried to accelerate, being more prominent than his attacking counterparts. However, he failed to put Buffon at risk.
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