The match of the year. Already. This is what awaited Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday evening at Signal Iduna Park. Second in Group F with seven points, the capital club had to win against leader Borussia Dortmund to finish first in their group and, above all, qualify for the round of 16 of the Champions League. Any other result could, however, condemn Luis Enrique’s men, under pressure before this shock, although his future did not seem linked to the outcome of this evening. In an unbreathable meeting where PSG will have long seen its European future called into question, the reigning French champions finally thanked their young nugget, Warren Zaire-Emery, and the Milanese, scorers (2-1) of Newcastle in the last moments . Hanging (1-1) on German soil, the Parisians have, in fact, approached hell. Jostled in the first period, fragile defensively and very clumsy around the opponent’s area, PSG even sank after returning from the locker room with another guilty action. Opportunistic and very active during this confrontation, Karim Adeyemi took advantage of the Ile-de-France apathy to open the scoring and plunge the BvB den into an incandescent atmosphere (1-0, 51st).
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Stunned and especially with their backs to the wall, PSG then relied on the realism of its X factor since the start of the season: Warren Zaire-Emery. Although he was not expected for this decisive meeting, his presence indeed proved vital. Injured in the right ankle during the last international break for his first selection with the French team, WZE was logically announced forfeit until the end of 2023. Yes but there you go, like a kid who misses the stages one by one on the field, the young French midfielder also demonstrated impressive strength – physical and character – off the field. Like a race against time, the number 33 of the reigning French champions fought to return as quickly as possible, also proving that his body was also impervious to pressure. Coming into play against FC Nantes last weekend, the 17-year-old Frenchman was then present in the eleven concocted by Luis Enrique for this nerve-wracking trip to Signal Iduna Park. Established alongside Vitinha and Kang-In Lee – Manuel Ugarte taking his place on the bench – the player trained at PSG finally quickly dispelled the doubts expressed by observers. Was his return too early? Wasn’t this comeback in the shoes of an incumbent too risky given the importance of this poster? Was a relapse to be feared in a match of the intensity specific to Europe?
So many questions that the young person concerned finally brushed aside with disconcerting ease. So, certainly, the first minutes of his match proved that a return to the highest level after an injury of this magnitude is never easy. More discreet than usual (2 duels out of 9 won), sometimes pierced in an environment regularly challenged, especially in the first period, and at times less sharp, like his slightly too lax attitude on the After Karim Adeyemi opened the score, Zaire-Emery finally gradually gained momentum. His second period is absolute proof of that. Sharper, present in the duel and serene despite a scenario turning towards disaster (PSG was virtually eliminated from the Champions League at the break and led by the score in the 51st, at the same time Newcastle retained a short advantage against the AC Milan), the star of the City of Lights has regained its full spark. Intelligent in his placement and precise in his transmissions, he finally completely revived his partners shortly before the hour mark. Present at the entrance to the area after an overflow from Kylian Mbappé, the 17-year-old Parisian crucified Kobel with a strike slightly blocked (56th). If this goal guaranteed nothing for his team’s European future, it took on much greater importance when Christian Pulisic equalized at St’ James Park. This achievement even became decisive when Samuel Chukwueze put an end to the hopes of the Magpies and at the same time propelled PSG into the round of 16 of the Champions League. Second in its group, the capital club will now fear the draw scheduled for next Monday where a big European star could logically get in its way. Regardless, or not, the essential is assured and Nasser al-Khelaïfi did not hesitate to point it out, also emphasizing the capital performance of his young nugget.
A (still) vital performance!
“We are happy with this match and this qualification even if we wanted to finish in first place. The situation was complicated, with a difficult group. The most important thing is to qualify. Now we have time to prepare the eighths. We had a lot of chances, we deserved to win, we have to accept it. We could have scored three or four goals, that’s football. The most important thing is our style of play, we are very happy with Luis Enrique. He wants to continue like this and so do we. The team is young. Warren Zaire-Emery is a magnificent player, I am proud of him. He is Parisian and wants to stay here, he is important. He had a great match.assured the Parisian president at the microphone of RMC Sport. Elected man of the match by UEFA but also by the FM editorial team, giving him a score of 7, the main person concerned also did not fail to show his relief, while pointing out possible areas of improvement for this PSG. “We are both happy but we know that we could have done better and finished in first place, that was the objective. But we are happy to finish in second place and to be qualified, we had a good match. Sometimes that’s how football is, the balls don’t want to go in. We had plenty of opportunities, there are only positives for the future. We kept our goal well, that’s what we did well. A team to avoid in the draw? No. We are not afraid of anyone, we will watch quietly. No matter the opponent we will be ready”declared WZE before returning to its liberating goal.
“I move forward to keep my balance, the ball comes back to me, I try to do my best and be as high as possible on the pitch and at the same time make the defensive efforts. Today (Wednesday) I was lucky that the ball came back to me and I shot to score, I’m very happy. Of course we have to score as many goals as possible, but we have the chances, that’s the most important thing. We will resolve this to be the most efficient in C1 and in the Championship”. Present at the press conference, Luis Enrique could only welcome this XXL return. “We talked a lot about his personality, his professionalism. He is a very special player, capable of scoring and making assists. It is a wonder”, assured the Spaniard. Praises also given by Gianluigi Donnarumma, passing through the mixed zone and also decisive at Signal Iduna Park. “Warren, he’s fantastic, he’s an extraordinary player, I don’t have the words to describe how fantastic this player is, he’s an extraordinary player, he’s got his head on his shoulders and I hope that he will continue like this”. There is no doubt, either, that all of Paris Saint-Germain hopes to see Warren Zaire-Emery at this level in the long term…
