PSG left Lisbon with a draw against Benfica on Wednesday (1-1), during the 3rd day of C1.
Special Envoy to Lisbon
And that’s all. Shaken at the start of the game and dominating in the second half, PSG left the Estadio da Luz with a draw on Wednesday (1-1), on behalf of the third day of the Champions League. “When you can’t win, don’t lose“, emphasizes Marco Verratti. In the end, the two teams still share the lead in the Group H standings (7 pts) before meeting next Tuesday at the Parc des Princes. Behind, Juventus Turin (3rd, 3 pts) took their first three points against Maccabi Haifa (3-1).
Paris starts on diesel, but…
As often in this kind of context, facing an ultra-aggressive Lisbon team at the start and in a supercharged atmosphere, Paris-SG lacked bite. Add to that a few technical errors here and there and you have a complicated start, with Donnarumma forced to perform miracles (8th, 14th, 18th). Messi’s left leg was about to give birth to another. School action, one-touch, the three thieves of the “MNM” in action and the “Pulga” for a magical roll (0-1, 22nd). Enough to cool the boiling Estadio da Luz and the players of Roger Schmidt, knocked out suddenly. PSG finally in control, winning the second balls, without however worrying Vlachodimos. His time was coming. In fact, it was Donnarumma who had to bow to a goal… from Danilo (1-1, 41′), the Portuguese accidentally propelling the ball into his goal, on a vicious cross from Fernandez, who was too free. Which Fernandez could have (should?) have been red for wiping his crampons on Verratti’s ankle (45th).
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Given the start of the game, this score of 1-1 at the break was not stolen for the locals. But Paris attacked the second act with much more energy, finally putting Vlachodimos to work (48th, 55th, 5th7, 61st, 68th), very happy to see Neymar’s return finish on his crossbar (48th). Opposite, Benfica did not have much to put in their mouths, except this header from Otamendi who flirted with the amount (67th), just after the exit of Nuno Mendes (65th), injured. Despite its domination, the Paris-SG sinned by lack of accuracy in the last gesture. The last minutes came down to an attack-defense, opening the door to a disappointment on the counter, which was not far from happening when Rafa gave way to Ramos and Marquinhos to present himself in front of Donnarumma, imperial (81st). A final thrill with Ruiz’s huge strike (90+2) outside the area and we left it at that (1-1, final score).
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Donnarumma responds present
If PSG emerged unscathed from its first quarter of an hour, it was thanks to its Italian goalkeeper. Donnarumma intervened twice against Gonçalo Ramos (8th, 14th) and again on a masterful tap in front of David Neres (18th). Impassable. And serene, not taking any risks in his kicking game, which we have sometimes been able to reproach him for in recent weeks, in recent months. He can’t do much about the action of 1-1 (41st). Strong. He even won a new duel against Rafa Silva at the end of the game (81st). Six stops.
Messi treats, Mbappé helpless
The talent has spoken. The talent of the three stars of the “MNM” for this goal of the 22nd minute, with Lionel Messi at the start and Lionel Messi at the finish. More generally, the “Pulga” still regaled in this meeting, until its exit (81st), confirming its revival after a failed first season. Messi behind, Messi leading, but brilliant Messi. In his pivotal role, Kylian Mbappé was powerless despite the slowness of the Portuguese defenders. Tuesday at the Park, the French will certainly want to show something else.