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Barcelona won a thrilling contest at the Parc des Princes over PSG in another high-scoring quarterfinal in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League. Both the Spanish and French sides entered this game on fine form to set up the latest clash in this fixture. This was the sixth time PSG would face Barcelona in the knockout stages of the Champions League. PSG won the most recent of those ties after a 4-1 win at Camp Nou.
That win in 2021 featured a Kylian Mbappe hat trick. On Wednesday evening in Paris, Barcelona did well to silence arguably the best player in the world. However, the team-based approach of PSG that differs from previous seasons made this game a massive struggle for Barcelona. Despite holding a halftime lead, PSG found the advantage just six minutes into the second half. Xavi’s substitutions in the second half restored a Barcelona lead that it would not relinquish.
Barcelona weathers early storm to take the lead
Following Tuesday’s onslaught of goals in the Champions League quarterfinal first legs, PSG blitzed Barcelona with early chances. Ousmane Dembele, Marco Asensio and Kylian Mbappe fired shots toward Marc Andre ter Stegen in the Barcelona net. The German was equal to all attempts, but Barcelona struggled to find any form of comfort on the ball. PSG brought a heavy press that allowed the French side to control possession of the ball.
It took 20 minutes for Barcelona to have a clear look at goal, and it was inches away from finding the opener. Robert Lewandowski rose above the rest on a corner to head the ball on the net. Only Nuno Mendes sliding along the goal line could clear the ball at the last second.
Raphinha would eventually provide Barcelona with the lead after 37 minutes. An outside-of-the-foot cross from Lamine Yamal on the right side of the attack entered a dangerous area. Lewandowski and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma nearly collided, and the ball fell to Raphinha. On his weaker right foot, Raphinha shot the ball…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/raphinhas-brace-guides-barcelona-to-first-leg-win-at-psg
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-04-10 22:02:31
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