A thrilling match between two of Europe’s best teams lived up to expectations and in the end, the champions emerged victorious against a hungry opponent. Luis Enrique’s team put an end to it Barca’s 11-game winning streak Thanks to a massive attacking display that featured great goals from Doué, Lucas Hernández, Vitinha and Fabián. Flick’s team fought hard throughout, even equalizing the game twice, but PSG were deserved winners. Playing against his former team, Ferran had three clear scoring chances that were blocked by his side’s best player, Joan García. The worst part for Barça apart from the defeat was Dani Olmo’s injury, which will rule him out of El Clasico.
It was a clash between a champion and a wannabe champion. The best match possible at the moment did not disappoint. Although not decisive in terms of the tournament, both teams treated it as a battle to protect their home turf. The two-time European champions wanted to put the brakes on a cheeky rival and Barcelona wanted to signal that this year was their year at the Parc des Princes – when it was finally time to add another Champions League trophy to their collection. In the end, the champions showed why they are champions by ending Barça’s unbeaten streak this season.
Hansi Flick had the luxury of resting sole Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, but he welcomed another potential Ballon d’Or winner in Raphinha and retained another he had set his sights on, Lamine Yamal. Luis Enrique was less cautious and fielded the best players available, including current Ballon d’Or winner Dembele. Nuno Mendes is injured and since July 19, our national hero Ferran Torres Dembele did not start due to an early injury, but played 70 minutes.
From the opening whistle, PSG revealed who had dominated Europe for the past two years and with suffocating man-to-man pressure, they disrupted Flick’s side until Pedri’s pass to Joao Neves led to Kvaratskhelia’s shot, which hit the post with two minutes to go. The pressure from Paris forced Barça to play long balls – that said it all. Dembele and Doue also tried their luck from distance, but Joan Garcia saved their shots. It wasn’t even 7 minutes into the match and it was already clear that betting on a 0-0 draw in this game was counterintuitive. Pedri’s burst of pace, followed by Pacho’s save, put Barca on the map at the Parc des Princes.
After the initial scare of the opening minutes, Barca began to gain more control as the game wore on and Dani Olmo silenced the crowd with a shot that hit the post. Dembele suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Ferran Torres, while Rafinha’s close-range shot was saved by Safonov. Barça was already well prepared for the game. Ferran’s first touch almost made it 1-0, forcing Joan García to make a great save with his face. Dani Olmo also had to leave the game due to injury – Fermin replaced him. Ferran was clearly eager to face his former team as he went close to scoring again on his second run, but Joan García was once again sensational in a sequence that resulted in PSG’s four strikes.
With Ferran out, the home side’s attacking play improved and Luis Enrique’s men capitalized on Lamine’s poor cross to slip between Cubarsi and Gerard Martin to take the lead with Doue’s fine strike from outside the box. Barça reacted quickly and had a chance to level the game in a one-on-one save by Fermín Safonov; on the rebound, Pacho was kicked in the head by Fermín as he attempted a follow-up kick. An absurd refereeing rule forced him to sit on the sidelines for a minute, even though his head was almost split open. One minute, by the way, Barça made a dangerous attack.
The second half maintained the frantic pace of the first. There was no rush. Saving his team from a more difficult defeat, Joan Garcia stopped Hakimin’s close-range shot to make it 2:0. It was a crucial save as Barcelona were able to level the game after Xavi Esparta’s deep pass beat Fermindin Safonov with a powerful shot at the near post. The goal was not the worst news for Luis Enrique’s team, who had to replace Marquinhos and Quaratzhelia due to injury. Flick also revamped the lineup by bringing in Rodri, Adeyemi and Gavi. Gavi almost made it 1-2 with his first touch, but Safonov saved.
The match was starting to go Barça’s way, with a PSG side that was no longer pressing and retreating in the face of the improved play of the Catalans. A non-factor until then, Lamine started to make his presence felt in the last half hour. Cancelo gave Safonov another scare… Barca could smell the victory. Ferran was a non-factor in the second half, but his first chance hit the post from a corner. And at that turn, Lucas Hernandez’s unstoppable header made it 2-1. The set piece saved a PSG side that looked like they had given up.
Lamine’s stunner and final blow
The goal rattled a Barça side that looked on top for a few minutes, but then the long-awaited Lamine rose to his feet, flicking his hat-trick down the wing – shaking Zaire-Emery and beating Safonov with a shot from almost no angle. A draw with 10 minutes remaining wasn’t a bad result for Flick’s side, but the firepower of this PSG side is incredible and they immediately restored the lead with Vitinha’s thunderous strike from outside the box. The strike proved decisive for Barca, who watched Fabian score a fourth goal in the dying moments. It was the first defeat for a Barça team that never backed down and eventually became true champions. They hope to meet again in a few months. A classic match if ever there was one.