Benfica-PSG (1-1): Paris showed character and Messi (again) enjoyed

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By resisting, PSG has proven that it exists. Taken by the throat, shaken in all directions by a formidable Benfica team which deserves to be known, he almost held on, rescued by a great Gianluigi Donnarumma, that of Paris-Manchester City for example, the first League match champions of his life last season, and a constantly threatening MNM. At least in what it mobilizes attention and follow-up by Lisbon defenders. But above all, Paris showed character, patience, a collective spirit, carried by a daring system which can pass the course of a big match.

Internally, the reflection on the strengthening of the midfield has already begun, the idea being to go to three to solidify the whole but the Vitinha-Verratti pair have again deployed to the four corners of the Luz stadium to give changes it. Marquinhos came to insert himself regularly, like a tactical hybridization: neither really two in the middle nor really three, but something in between that bears neither a name nor an algebra formula. The idea will continue to work, probably back on the carpet in 2023 if Paris continues on its way.

The players did not give in to feverishness

There are no signs to the contrary: at the beginning of October, the club from the capital remains undefeated, leading in every competition and when it passes tests, it passes them even if everything is not perfect. Neither against Juventus Turin (2-1) a month ago nor now. She basically only missed one game, the reception of Monaco. We could add the first period against Benfica but the jewel of Leo Messi, released before the end, considerably reduces the breakage observed, this problematic management of depth, especially for Parisian defenders. But this young team, with three stars who collectively do little to help others in the effort, still fascinates, advances, charts its course and grows.

His second period, more controlled, with more fire in the surface of Odisseas Vlachodimos, indicates an improvement in the management of the match, a better measure of the opponent, a nervous solidity. Christophe Galtier’s Paris were not emotionally swept away by Benfica’s enthusiasm, their stadium packed like Line 13 one morning, their constant fervor. The culture of a club, its history, it is also the songs of the supporters who transmit them and in this field, the SLB remains a European champion.

He will have been only slowed down by the marvelous lamp of the MNM, rubbed in three movements and one touch each. Messi leaned on Kylian Mbappé who handed over for Neymar whose pass was taken up in first intention by the Argentinian, each day a little closer to his level of the Ballon d’Or years, the last, not the first unfortunately. At a time when grandpas are resisting, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Sergio Ramos via Giorgio Chiellini, it’s time to think about extending the Pulga so that it doesn’t return like that to Barcelona or worse that it emigrates to United States.

Match sheet

Half-time: 1-1. Spectators: 62,306. Referee: Gil Manzano (Esp). Goals. Benfica: Danilo (41st, csc). PSG: Messi (22nd). Warnings.

Benfica : Fernandez (45th), G. Ramos (70th). PSG: Ruiz (90e + 2), Neymar (90e + 2), Verratti (90e + 4). Benfica: Vlachodimos – Grimaldo, Otamendi (cap), A. Silva, Bah – Florentino, Fernandez (Aursnes, 78th) – R. Silva, J. Mario, Neres (Pinho, 90th) – G. Ramos (Draxler, 78th) . . . . Entr. : Schmidt

PSG : Donnarumma – S. Ramos, Marquinhos (chap.), Danilo – Hakimi, Vitinha (Ruiz, 87e), Verratti, Nuno Mendes (Bernat, 67e) – Messi (Sarabia, 81e) – Neymar, Mbappé. in : Galtier.

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