Paris Saint-Germain played big this evening, when they hosted AC Milan for the third day of the Champions League. Leaders of their group after their victory over Borussia Dortmund (2-0), the Parisians were then defeated at Newcastle (1-4). Relegated to second place in the standings, Luis Enrique’s men should not have missed out in the first match of their double confrontation with the Rossoneri. On this occasion, Luis Enrique did not renew the eleven which had challenged the Magpies since Vitinha accompanied Warren Zaire-Emery and Manuel Ugarte in the midfield with the possibility of going up a notch to help the Ile-de-France attackers. That was on paper. In fact, we once again saw the Ile-de-France midfield struggling. However, PSG was present from the start of the match, laying siege to the Milan camp. Dominated in the impact, the Rossoneri struggled to emerge and two of their players (Thiaw and Krunic) were booked in the sixth minute. And then, as the minutes passed, Milan regained momentum by taking advantage of an eccentric Vitinha on the left to come and play the surplus in the middle. Put under more pressure, PSG then thwarted for many minutes. Lots of ball losses, significant technical waste, rough passes, missed restarts, an almost invisible Mbappé and a Dembélé-Kolo Muani duo still in difficulty: Paris was swaying. In the 28th minute, the Rouge et Bleu even shook badly after a curling shot from Rafael Leão. But Paris knows that it can make the difference with a stroke of genius from its number 7. And that’s what happened in the 32nd minute. After enormous work from Warren Zaire-Emery to serve the Bondynois, Mbappé went to crucify Tomori and Maignan (1-0, 32nd). At half-time, PSG were in front, but the score was still very flattering, even if AC Milan still hasn’t scored in the Champions League for 225 minutes.
No one knows whether Luis Enrique gave his players a blow or not, but the fact remains that upon returning from the locker room, Paris set the record straight. On a counter initiated by Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé thought he would score his first goal in Parisian colors. Unfortunately for the ex-Blaugrana, the VAR decided otherwise because of a big mistake from Ugarte (48th). It was only a postponement. Five minutes later, we found Dembélé and this time, his shot repelled by Mike Maignan found Randal Kolo Muani for the goal of the break (2-0, 53rd). KO and less pressing, Milan suffered the blow. Without an inspired Maignan, Mbappé could even have sealed the fate of the match after enormous work from WZE (58th). A record decisive passer, the 17-year-old Parisian titi produced one of his best copies with the Rouge et Bleu. Dominated, the Lombards nevertheless reminded the reigning French champion that he should never rest on his laurels in the Champions League. Rafael Leão (78th, 84th) and Olivier Giroud (81st) brought one last thrill through the stands of the Park and if the Portuguese had not made many bad choices, the end of the match would have been completely different. Fortunately for PSG, this will not be the case. If Mbappé would have liked to score a double, Maignan did not give him any gifts (82nd). On the other hand, what could be more deserved than seeing the match end with a new exploit from Zaire-Emery, decisive passer for Kang-in Lee (89th). 3-0, Paris provided the essentials. After the slap received in Newcastle, this victory allows the Ile-de-France residents to erase the misstep at St James’ Park. Better still, the Rouge et Bleu regained the lead of their group.
Relive the match film here
