PSG came into the game with several notable injury absentees, such as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Portugal midfielder Joao Neves, who was ruled out in the warm-up and replaced in the starting XI by Warren Zaire-Emery. Understandably, Luis Enrique’s side took some time to settle into the game and had to withstand extended periods of Barcelona pressure in the first half.
Lamine Yamal showed a sign of things to come as he skipped past three PSG players after just two minutes, while the visitors gave away a couple of needless passes in their own half. One of the guilty parties, Ilia Zabarnyi, made up for it with a top-class clearance off the goal-line after Torres rounded Lucas Chevalier and struck the ball towards an empty net.
The Parisians’ resistance would only last 19 minutes, though, as Torres broke the deadlock with a composed finish from Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford’s precise first-time pass. The usually faultless Vitinha gave the ball away for the goal, reflecting the nervy nature of PSG’s start to the eagerly-awaited clash in Catalonia. The French side dragged themselves level just before the break, though, with 19-year-old Mayulu netting following an outstanding Nuno Mendes run down the left.
The visitors only grew in confidence after the break, with Ibrahim Mbaye proving an increased threat down the left-hand side as PSG began to get a grip of the midfield. They still needed to be at their very best to keep out Barcelona at the other end, though, as Achraf Hakimi put his body on the line to keep out a Dani Olmo strike which was destined for the net.
Substitute Lee Kang-in struck the post with a low drive cutting in from the right before captain Hakimi created the winning goal with just seconds of normal time remaining. It may have been a close offside call but Ramos had timed his run to perfection before finishing calmly to win the game for PSG in the most dramatic of circumstances.
BALLGM rates PSG’s players from an exciting Champions League clash at Montjuic…
PSG came into the game with several notable injury absentees, such as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Portugal midfielder Joao Neves, who was ruled out in the warm-up and replaced in the starting XI by Warren Zaire-Emery. Understandably, Luis Enrique‘s side took some time to settle into the game and had to withstand extended periods of Barcelona pressure in the first half.
Lamine Yamal showed a sign of things to come as he skipped past three PSG players after just two minutes, while the visitors gave away a couple of needless passes in their own half. One of the guilty parties, Ilia Zabarnyi, made up for it with a top-class clearance off the goal-line after Torres rounded Lucas Chevalier and struck the ball towards an empty net.
The Parisians’ resistance would only last 19 minutes, though, as Torres broke the deadlock with a composed finish from Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford’s precise first-time pass. The usually faultless Vitinha gave the ball away for the goal, reflecting the nervy nature of PSG’s start to the eagerly-awaited clash in Catalonia. The French side dragged themselves level just before the break, though, with 19-year-old Mayulu netting following an outstanding Nuno Mendes run down the left.
The visitors only grew in confidence after the break, with Ibrahim Mbaye proving an increased threat down the left-hand side as PSG began to get a grip of the midfield. They still needed to be at their very best to keep out Barcelona at the other end, though, as Achraf Hakimi put his body on the line to keep out a Dani Olmo strike which was destined for the net.
Substitute Lee Kang-in struck the post with a low drive cutting in from the right before captain Hakimi created the winning goal with just seconds of normal time remaining. It may have been a close offside call but Ramos had timed his run to perfection before finishing calmly to win the game for PSG in the most dramatic of circumstances.
BALLGM rates PSG’s players from an exciting Champions League clash at Montjuic…
Lucas Chevalier (6/10):
Though Barca represented a significant threat, Chevalier had few saves to make on the night. It would be his defenders who kept the ball out of the net with last-ditch blocks.
Achraf Hakimi (8/10):
Showed both sides of his game as he made a stunning goal-saving block at one end while assisting Ramos’ late winner with a perfectly-hit pass. Saw his attacking influence grow in the second half.
Ilia Zabarnyi (7/10):
Showed some nervous moments on the ball early on but more than made up for it with some crucial defensive contributions, most notably a sliding clearance off the goal-line to deny Torres at 0-0.
Willian Pacho (7/10):
Played a key role alongside Zabarnyi to ensure PSG stayed in the game early on, combining with Mendes to ensure Yamal’s influence on the game was limited.
Nuno Mendes (7/10):
Did well in his primary, very difficult, task of dealing with Yamal. His contribution to PSG’s equaliser was outstanding, too, a driving run across half the length of the pitch and inch-perfect ball into Mayulu. But was maybe lucky not to be sent off after a trip on Yamal while on a yellow.
Vitinha (7/10):
Did not look at his effortless best in the first half with a couple of loose passes, one of which caused the opening goal. However, gained more of a grip on the game in the second period as PSG began to dominate proceedings.
Fabian Ruiz (6/10):
Made some important tackles in midfield while contributing to PSG’s improvement in the second period. Had a shot from the edge saved and was replaced with an injury shortly after.
Warren Zaire-Emery (6/10):
Brought in for the injured Neves at the very last moment and was given a difficult task against Barca’s midfield, but stood up well and got forward to join attacks more often as the game progressed.
Ibrahim Mbaye (7/10):
Just 17 years old, Mbaye made his first Champions League start and was a breath of fresh air. He showed enthusiasm in the first half and increasingly had the beating of Jules Kounde in the second period, forcing a save from Wojciech Szczesny after one dazzling run in particular.
Bradley Barcola (6/10):
Struggled to get into the game early on and should have scored after he beat Gerard Martin only to be thwarted by Szczesny. Replaced late on as PSG searched for a winner.
Senny Mayulu (7/10):
The third teenager in PSG’s youthful line-up, Mayulu showed poise to equalise against the run of play and get his side right back in the game. Starting in an unfamiliar position in the centre of attack, he made clever runs and caused problems.
Goncalo Ramos (8/10):
The match-winner, Ramos had one chance and took it. Despite his role off the bench for PSG, he continues to deliver important moments for Luis Enrique’s side.
Lee Kang-in (7/10):
Struck the post with a curling drive after replacing Mayulu late on.
Lucas Hernandez (6/10):
Replaced Mbaye in the second half as PSG looked to assert their supremacy.
Quentin Ndjantou (N/A):
The 18-year-old came on late on and tried to get in behind the home defence’s high line.
Luis Enrique (8/10):
Though he was without several key players for the match, Enrique led his youthful side to victory in one of the toughest away matches around, never mind against his own former club. They may have struggled early on, but PSG’s second-half performance was outstanding.
