UEFA Champions League! Mbappe completes epic PSG comeback

Kylian Mbappe secures victory to finalize the Champions League comeback, while Ousmane Dembele silences Barcelona fans with an impressive performance, and Bradley Barcola shines by outplaying Ronald Araujo.

The attacking prowess of the French attackers (Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe) proved instrumental in securing a significant win for the Ligue 1 giants, propelling their team into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Match Report

In a stunning display, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe dealt a crushing blow to Barcelona, driving Paris Saint-Germain to a remarkable comeback victory. Dembele, a former Barcelona player, notched a goal and earned a penalty in his return to Catalonia, while Mbappe netted twice as PSG triumphed 4-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final clash.
Despite facing relentless taunts from the home crowd and a shaky start that saw their opponents take an early lead through Lamine Yamal's goal, Dembele managed to make a significant impact on the game. His goal came amidst a backdrop of constant jeers, showcasing his resilience and determination.

The momentum shifted decisively in PSG's favor following Ronald Araujo's dismissal for a foul on Bradley Barcola just outside the box. Less than fifteen minutes later, Dembele found the back of the net, leveling the scoreline and further fueling the team's resurgence, despite the ongoing hostility directed towards him from the stands.

The second half witnessed a unraveling of Barcelona's performance, with PSG asserting increasing dominance. Less than 10 minutes into the half, Barcelona's defense allowed Vitinha ample space to line up a shot from outside the box, resulting in a powerful strike into the bottom corner.

The situation worsened for Barcelona when their coach, Xavi, was shown a red card shortly after, while Kylian Mbappe extended PSG's lead to 3-1 by converting a penalty kick high into the net, following a foul on Dembele by Joao Cancelo in the box.

Despite a brief resurgence from Barcelona, with notable efforts from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, PSG maintained control. Mbappe further compounded Barcelona's misery by scoring his second goal of the night after a late counter-attack.

In the end, PSG emerged victorious with a 6-4 aggregate score, with manager Luis Enrique experiencing a reversal of fortunes from his time as Barcelona coach, notably overcoming the haunting memories of the famous "Remontada" in 2017.

Barcelona's Players Rating VS Paris Saint Germain

Goalkeeper & Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):

Donnarumma showcased his prowess with a remarkable save in the latter stages of the second half, thwarting a threatening effort from Robert Lewandowski. Additionally, he demonstrated his agility by denying Raphinha's attempt on goal, contributing significantly to PSG's defensive resilience throughout the match.

Achraf Hakimi (7/10):

While Hakimi appeared somewhat subdued in the attacking phase during the initial stages of the game, he gradually found his rhythm in the second half. His offensive contributions improved notably, as evidenced by a potent shot on target that was expertly saved by the opposition goalkeeper. Moreover, Hakimi exhibited versatility by providing an assist for Vitinha's goal, highlighting his impact on both ends of the pitch.

Marquinhos (7/10):

Marquinhos exhibited defensive solidity for PSG, effectively marshaling the backline and making crucial interventions when called upon. His adeptness in clearing danger from the defensive third and composure in possession contributed to PSG's ability to build attacks from deep positions, reinforcing his importance as a defensive stalwart.

Lucas Hernandez (6/10):

Hernandez delivered a solid defensive performance, showcasing his ability to neutralize threats posed by Barcelona's attackers. His timely tackles and positional awareness played a pivotal role in limiting the influence of Robert Lewandowski, underscoring his importance in PSG's defensive setup.

Nuno Mendes (5/10):

Mendes endured a challenging outing, particularly in the build-up to Barcelona's opening goal. He struggled to contain the attacking threat posed by Lamine Yamal, ultimately conceding space that led to Barcelona's breakthrough. Despite this setback, Mendes contributed defensively with sporadic interventions, albeit falling short of his usual standards in terms of overall performance.

Midfield

Warren Zaire-Emery (5/10):

Zaire-Emery struggled to make a significant impact despite his involvement in midfield. Despite having ample possession, he failed to translate it into meaningful contributions for PSG's attack, ultimately falling short in terms of effectiveness.

Vitinha (7/10):

Vitinha showcased his intelligence and creativity in midfield, particularly in the face of Barcelona's defensive tactics that restricted space in the attacking third. He displayed astute decision-making with his passing, actively seeking to create opportunities for his team. Vitinha's standout moment came with a superbly struck goal, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on scoring chances and make a decisive impact on the game.

Fabian Ruiz (6/10):

Ruiz showcased glimpses of his quality with a dangerous shot that narrowly missed the target, highlighting his ability to threaten the opposition goal from midfield. Additionally, he contributed defensively with crucial challenges, demonstrating his willingness to engage in the physical aspects of the game. While not as impactful as some of his teammates, Ruiz played a role in PSG's midfield stability and defensive solidity.

Attack

Ousmane Dembele (8/10):

Dembele endured a challenging start to the match in front of his former supporters, struggling to find his rhythm. However, he turned the tide with a stunning equalizing goal, showcasing his ability to deliver in crucial moments. Dembele also came close to doubling his tally shortly thereafter, demonstrating his threat in front of goal. Additionally, his proactive play led to PSG being awarded a penalty, further amplifying his impact on the match.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Mbappe exhibited his trademark attacking prowess throughout the game, posing a constant threat to Barcelona's defense. His efforts forced Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a notable save in the first half, highlighting his ability to create scoring opportunities.
Mbappe displayed composure from the penalty spot, converting confidently to extend PSG's lead. He then compounded Barcelona's misery by adding a fourth goal for his team, underlining his clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on scoring chances.

Bradley Barcola (8/10):

Barcola delivered a standout performance, making significant contributions to PSG's attacking endeavors. His pace and tenacity caused problems for Barcelona's defense, ultimately leading to Ronald Araujo's sending off. Barcola's pinpoint delivery set up Dembele's goal, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Overall, his dynamic presence on the field played a pivotal role in PSG's attacking success.

Attack

Lee Kang-in (5/10):

Lee Kang-in entered the game for a brief period of just over 10 minutes but struggled to leave a significant impact on the proceedings.

Marco Asensio (6/10):

Marco Asensio made a notable contribution after coming on as a substitute, unleashing a promising shot that forced a save from the opposition goalkeeper. Although the rebound ultimately led to Mbappe's goal, Asensio's attacking intent was evident during his time on the pitch.

Manuel Ugarte (5/10):

Manuel Ugarte's appearance as a substitute in midfield was relatively quiet, with limited involvement in the game following his introduction.

Randal Kolo Muani (N/A):

Randal Kolo Muani was brought on as a late substitution for Dembele, providing fresh legs in the closing stages of the match.

Luis Enrique (7/10):

Luis Enrique managed his team effectively, guiding them through a challenging encounter that saw them fall behind early on. Despite the setback, Enrique's side displayed resilience and determination, ultimately capitalizing on their numerical advantage to secure victory. Enrique's tactical approach ensured that key players like Lewandowski were effectively contained, while Dembele, Barcola, and Mbappe played pivotal roles in overpowering the opposition. Overall, Enrique's management contributed significantly to PSG's success in the match.