Although the prospect of a Remontada rematch had dominated the build-up tonight’s clash at the Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique’s reunion with former teammate Xavi emerged as an unexpectedly confrontational subplot.
For most of the first half, it was Xavi who was making the better case for that title. Although PSG initially dominated possession, their forays into the Barcelona box were few and far between, and eventually the frailty of their makeshift defence was put to the test.
While a Nuno Mendes goalline clearance initially kept them at bay, the Catalans eventually made the breakthrough ten minutes from the break. Lewandowski – whose tireless hold-up play kept the entire backline busy – would find Lamine Yamal, whose cross Donnarumma could only get fingertips to, leaving Raphinha to sweep into an empty net.
It was Luis Enrique, though, whose half-time tweaks proved the most effective, and within minutes of the restart the Ligue 1 leaders had turned the game around. With a shot that rifled into the roof of the net, Dembélé made up for his misfiring first half to equalise and open his European account for the campaign – against his former team, no less. Seconds later, Vitinha ventured into the box to convert from a Fabián Ruiz through ball.
The Blaugrana would be back ahead within minutes, though. With his first touch after coming on, Pedri found Raphinha over the top with a pin-point ball, and a first-time finish past Donnarumma gave the Brazilian his brace. While PSG looked more confident going forward – Dembélé notably came within inches of his own double – the Catalans would veer ahead again fifteen minutes later. It was a different goalscorer – Christensen nodding in from the corner – but the Italian goalkeeper was once again at fault, a total lack of authority in the box handing the Dane free header from close range.
Les Parisiens face a (literal) uphill battle at Montjuïc next week.
PSG player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 2 – The Italian turned in a nervy display, and was effectively at fault for all three goals. The former Milan man once again showed that, for all of his shot-stopping heroics over the last two seasons, PSG will need to seriously think about an upgrade in the near future.
Marquinhos, 4
Lucas Hernández, 4
Lucas Beraldo, 2
Nuno Mendes, 4
Kang-in Lee, 4
Vitinha, 6
Ousmane Dembélé, 6 – PSG’s most active player in the first half, even if his cross were mostly wayward. A timely second goal of the campaign sparked a short-lived comeback, and was denied a second goal by the post later in the game.
Marco Asensio, 4 – The Spaniard was a surprise inclusion in Luis Enrique’s starting eleven, seconding Mbappé and Dembélé on the PSG frontline. His substitution at half-time – for Bradley Barcola – was justified, having contributed little to his team’s attacks (11 touches), even accounting for the adverse circumstances.
Kylian Mbappé, 4
Selected Barcelona player ratings
Raphinha, 8
Robert Lewandowski, 7
Pau Cubarsí, 8
