FAVORITES
It may seem trivial, but Parisian qualification in the round of 16 is not. The 12th in a row. Certainly, a victory in Dortmund would have made it possible to snatch first place, which would have been important in view of the draw (see elsewhere). Some regret not having seen PSG push until the last second, securing a draw (1-1) and therefore second place in the final minutes. But it was first that we had to make the difference. Before in this match and in the previous days. In the end, knowing the score of Newcastle-Milan (1-2), Luis Enrique made the obvious choice. Still, in such a tough group, with such a young squad and largely renewed during the off-season, reaching the 8th of C1 allows us to continue the season more calmly to continue to progress.
For a few minutes, Warren Zaire-Emery became the youngest French scorer in the Champions League on Wednesday, before being dislodged by George Ilenikhena from Antwerp, against Barça. Beyond this point of detail, the 17-year-old titi has once again demonstrated that he is essential to Paris-SG. There is its purpose and everything else. Half-hearted first period, high-class second act. “He’s a very special player, he’s a marvel,” commented Luis Enrique, won over by the native of Montreuil. He is not the only one.
In other circumstances, PSG would perhaps have faltered, pulled the pin, dived. Trailing 1-0 while Newcastle were also ahead against Milan, the Parisians found the resources to quickly equalize. In fact, they had their most successful away match since the start of the C1 campaign, as Marquinhos notes. “We had a better performance away from home compared to Newcastle and Milan. You still have to grow and be better in the next step. The group is progressing,” said the Brazilian captain. In the end, the results are still quite meager, with only one point taken in three matches away from the Parc des Princes in C1.
Also read Donnarumma on the big draw that awaits PSG in the round of 16: “It will also be difficult for our opponents…”
SEE ALSO – Bradley Barcola’s first goal with Paris SG against FC Nantes (2-1)
We could legitimately be worried about Gianluigi Donnarumma before the meeting. The 24-year-old Italian goalkeeper was down three times in three matches before being suspended against Nantes (2-1). After a first intervention lacking serenity, doubts were still present in Dortmund… and Donnarumma finally shone, making five decisive saves. He was not too involved in the kicking game or in the air and had the opportunity to shine in his favorite register, that is to say on his line. Winning return for the former Milanese.
CLAW STRIKES
Who to replace Ousmane Dembélé? Luis Enrique, who has further innovated in his lineup, chose Randal Kolo Muani to start on the right on Wednesday in Dortmund. Sixth start in C1 for the 25-year-old French international. He didn’t take the opportunity to shine… Lots of clumsiness, inaccuracies, waste. And two huge misses in front of goal: a ball slipped just next to the post after eliminating the opposing goalkeeper and a lost one-on-one. It’s far too much for a player recruited for €95 million last summer, a player from the France team. Kolo Muani recently admitted that his start to the season was made of “a lot of downs”. In Dortmund, it was another… Last summer, PSG opted for young recruitment with medium-term thinking. We saw the limit in Germany, with for example a Bradley Barcola who was certainly talented, but still a little tender at this level. There can’t be only Zaire-Emerys.
Also read: Zaire-Emery after Dortmund-PSG: “Sometimes the balls don’t want to go in…”
Is the glass half full or half empty? The most worrying thing would be a PSG which fails to create chances. He has them. They still have to be converted… This was not the case at Signal Iduna Park. So many missed opportunities… “That doesn’t worry me. We are the team that creates the most chances. What concerns me is the lack of control in the game, when we lose balls, when there is too much back and forth in the match. That’s what I want to improve, I’m working on it,” underlines Luis Enrique. It wouldn’t be bad to see a more efficient PSG. This is the main reason for this second place, in a group where PSG was ultimately the best team. This is the difference between a good team and a great team. PSG is not (yet) big.
This inefficiency therefore cost Paris pole. And on Monday, Luis Enrique’s players will face a group winner. Bayern, Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the potential opponents. A list in which Real Sociedad is Little Thumb. “Big draw coming up? Yes, but it will also be difficult for our opponents,” smiles Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian doorman is not entirely wrong.
