The Parc des Princes experienced an electric evening, marked by intensity, injuries, twists, and suffocating suspense until the very last second. Against Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain lost after a match in which they chased the score from start to finish.
The nightmare begins very early for Paris. In the 4th minute, Luis Diaz opens the scoring after an initial Bavarian offensive that catches the Paris defense off guard. Luis Enrique tries to react, but Bayern insists and quickly comes close to doubling their lead: a hit on the post by Gnabry (31st minute), repeated defensive errors… and ultimately a second goal from Luis Diaz (32nd minute), following a catastrophic turnover by Marquinhos. Paris is stunned.
PSG thinks they have equalized thanks to Dembélé, who is opportunistic on a cross-shot from Nuno Mendes (22nd minute), but the goal is ultimately disallowed for offside. Even worse: Ousmane Dembélé gets injured a few minutes later (25th minute) and has to be replaced by Kang-in Lee. This is the first alert in a long series.
2 injured at PSG
The evening takes a turn just before halftime. Achraf Hakimi, injured in the ankle after a very late tackle from Luis Diaz, collapses in tears. The referee initially shows a yellow card (45+2’), then changes his mind after consulting VAR: a red card for the Colombian (45+7’). Hakimi leaves the field in tears, replaced by Mayulu just before halftime. Paris heads to the locker room trailing 2-0, weakened, stunned, but with a numerical advantage.
In the second half, Bayern hunkers down to defend their lead. Paris pushes forward but fails to find an opening: attempts by Kvara, Vitinha, Barcola… Neuer is alert. Kompany further locks down the defense by substituting Harry Kane for Goretzka (88th minute), proving that Bayern has only one goal: to hold on.
Hope is rekindled in the 74th minute. From a superb cross by Kang-in Lee, João Neves emerges and reduces the score. The Parc erupts: 2-1, with still a big quarter of an hour to play. Paris bombards, pushes, suffocates Munich. Zaïre-Emery misses the equalizer against Neuer (78th minute), João Neves grazes the post with a header (81st minute), Nuno Mendes delivers multiple crosses. The Bavarians hold on by a miracle.
In stoppage time, the tension is palpable. Lucas Chevalier goes up for the last corner (90+6’), but it’s all in vain: Bayern holds on to their victory by the skin of their teeth. Paris tried everything, but it was too late and too clumsy. A frustrating defeat, in a match where PSG played with heart but lost due to the details.
Player ratings for PSG
Lucas Chevalier (4)
Achraf Hakimi (Not rated)
Senny Mayulu (4)
Marquinhos (4)
Willian Pacho (6)
Nuno Mendes (4)
Warren Zaïre-Emery (5.5)
Vitinha (5.5)
Fabian Ruiz (3)
Joao Neves (Not rated)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (5)
Ousmane Dembélé (Not rated)
Lee Kang-in (6)
Bradley Barcola (3)
Gonçalo Ramos (Not rated)
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