Match Report PSG vs Barca

Match Report PSG 3-2 Barca

PSG (4-3-3): Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Maxwell; Verratti(Cabaye), Motta, Matuidi; Lucas(Bahebeck), Cavani, Pastore(Chantôme)

Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alves(Sandro), Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic(Xavi), Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro(Munir), Messi, Neymar.

Parc des Princes was testimony to one of the most thrilling UEFA Champions League group matches of this season. A PSG side sans Zlatan Ibrahimovic edged past a solid Barcelona side to register their first win of the season in the competition. A counterattacking approach with the pace of Lucas, Cavani and Pastore proved to be a tactical masterstroke by Laurent Blanc.

The game was a humdinger for a full 90 minutes as both the sides were always threatening to pounce on the mistakes made by either. Le Parisiens opened their scoring through a set piece from Lucas, who found his compatriot David Luiz inside the Barca penalty box. Luiz thumped a header past Ter Stegan to give hosts a surprise lead. The visitors conceded their first goal of the season in all competitions. Barca were not in any mood to take it easily as they struck within a minute after conceding through a beautifully crafted move, which was finished by Lionel Messi in some style.

The home side struck again via a set piece this time a corner by Thiago Motta. Marco Verrati took full advantage of a blunder by Barca’s stopper Marc Andre ter Stegan, who completely misjudged the flight of the ball. Parc des Princes erupted as the underdogs were leading inside 26 minutes. Both the teams had ample chances till the close of first half to increase their tally only to be denied by poor finishing.

STAT: PSG have not lost a home game in European competition since November 2006, when they were defeated 4-2 by Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Cup group stage. Since then they are unbeaten in 29 games at Parc des Princes, winning 19 and playing out 10 draws.

The second half was similar to the first in all the aspects. With Barca hogging all the possession while PSG looking to hit them on counter. And their plan worked as Blaise Matuidi gave the home side a 3-1 lead by finishing off a brilliant counter attack led by Edinson Cavani and Gregory Van der Wiel. Van der Wiel drove a delicious cross at the far post with Matuidi only had to tap in, which he did.

Barca again struck quickly through Neymar, who placed a ball at the left of Sirigu’s goal. Barca had ample of chances to get that all important equalizer but some poor finishing and brilliant defending by PSG’s centre halves led to their undoing.

MOTM - Blaise Matuidi