Paris Saint-Germain had never known this. The capital's club, before Tuesday evening, had never won a semi-final go to the Champions League. During its only C1 final to date, PSG had beaten Leipzig (3-0) in a dry match, the year COVID. Otherwise, the Red and Blue have only experienced defeats, against Milan, Manchester City and Dortmund, on the outward journey.
So that doesn't mean PSG will be in Munich at the end of May, but it's a great way to start this round-trip confrontation. As was the way in which Luis Enrique's men entered the match: a long phase of possession, one one between Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and the opening of the French international's score (0-1, 4th).
Less dashing in Ligue 1 since he has been assured of the title of champion of France, PSG was impressive for 35 minutes, master of the game, as it was often in 2025. There could have had a penalty on KVaratskhelia (16th), or a goal from Désiré Doué, who stumbled on David Raya (31st).
Brilliant fall in Real Madrid in the previous round, Arsenal suddenly woke up at the end of the first period, after a disputed action between Joao Neves on Mikel Merino in the Parisian surface (38th). The Gunners had their first occasions (40th, 41st), and Gianluigi Donnarumma, in the line of XXL performances in Anfield or Villa Park, released the big game in front of Gabriel Martinelli (45th).
PSG had 2-0 bullets
For once, PSG agreed to leave the ball a little, to save some strengths in the pressing. It could have been paid, if Mikel Merino had not been reported offside on the purpose of equalization (47th). Or if Donnarumma, decidedly, was not as inspired in the face to face, as Léandro Trossard (55th) noted.
While the 1-0 was not expensive after 30 minutes, while the 1-1 was near, PSG came close to 2-0 at the end of the game, when Bradley Barcola (on an action where there was undoubtedly offside) saw his shot approach the post (84th) or when Gonçalo Ramos sent a missile on the bar (85th).
This is the return match that will say if PSG should regret these situations. The champions of France, which will also await news from Ousmane Dembélé released on injury (70th), have the right to believe it very strong for a week. They would have signed every day for such a result in the first leg. But PSG, better than anyone, knows that nothing is done after 90 minutes in the Champions League.
