PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 1-1 PSV Eindhoven: Hosts stutter in Europe again – Get French Football News

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 3

Having turned in two unconvincing performances in Europe so far, Paris Saint-Germain were under pressure to translate what appeared to be a return to domestic success onto the continental stage against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.

Although Luis Enrique had expressed optimism with regard to his side’s performances in the Champions League this season, the fact remained that his team had failed to convert any of their chances thus far – the winner against Girona having come fom a Paulo Gazzaniga own goal.

Against PSV, the Ligue 1 leaders’ efficiency in front of goal scarcely improved. Early chances for Barcola and Lee – the South Korean having been trusted to lead the line – signalled the hosts’ attacking intent, although former Nice shot-stopper Walter Benítez was able to keept them out. The Argentine also

Dembélé would also be partly at fault for the Dutch side’s opener, having been beaten to João Neves’ pass by Tillmann before Saibari was able to play Noa Lang through. The winger, who had already impressed a few years ago against PSG while playing for Club Brugge, found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to give Peter Bosz’s men an unexpected lead.

There would be a Parisian reaction after the break, though. Dembélé would give Benítez a sterner test with an effort from the right wing, before Achraf Hakimi finally found the net for Luis Enrique’s men just before the hour mark with a long-range shot past the far post.

The visitors came close to re-taking the lead minutes later, with Donnarumma ostensibly beaten on a two-on-one situation but for a last-ditch interception by Marquinhos – the Brazilian atoning for his passive approach on PSV’s opener.

Ultimately, though, Hakimi’s goal would not reignite the PSG frontline’s firepower – although the Moroccan did initiate some of the hosts’ best opportunities in the final half hour. There were several chances for the hosts in the closing stages – and a penalty call which was overturned after a VAR check showed that Boscagli had touched the ball while tackling Marco Asensio.

Stalemate aside, Tuesday night’s performance will have arguably been Paris Saint-Germain’s best in the Champions League this season – one that one would have secured a second win were it not for their profligacy in the first half. Marquinhos pointly 

The next two European fixtures, against Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich, have gained in importance, with Les Parisiens potentially on the brink of dropping out of the play-off spots by the end of this week’s matchday. For now, though, over to Marseille on Sunday.

PSG Player Ratings 

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 5 – The Italian was beaten too easily on Noa Lang’s goal, and would have been beaten a second time after the break were it not for Marquinhos’ last-ditch interception.

Achraf Hakimi, 7 – As has been the case in several matches this season, the Moroccan’s initiative-taking has been PSG’s most potent attacking threat. His long-range strike rescued a point, and he created several chances from his crosses down the right wing afterwards – to no avail.

Marquinhos, 6

Willian Pacho, 6

Nuno Mendes, 5

João Neves, 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 4

Fabián Ruiz, 4 – The Spaniard’s introduction was one of the surprises of the starting lineup – although Vitinha did somewhat struggle against Strasbourg’s intense pressing in midfield on Saturday. Ruiz did manage to venture into some promising attacking positions – and assisted Hakimi’s goal – but was ultimately too frail when it came to one-on-one duels with the PSV players.

Ousmane Dembélé, 2 – The French international missed several chances in the first half, and was too passive in receiving the ball before the interception that led to PSV’s goal. He did prove slightly more incisive in the second half before his replacement for Désiré Doué, but still not enough for a player of his status on a Champions League night, though.

Lee Kang-in, 4 – The South Korean was playing in an unfamiliar striker role for the second Champions League fixture, and struggled again to make a real impact up front, even if he was willing to drop back and contribute to build-up play. As Marquinhos pointed out on Canal+ after the match, PSG’s lack of clinical edge this season comes down to a lack of a specialist number nine – a problem that Gonçalo Ramos’ return from injury is expected to remedy.

Lee was replaced for the final twenty minutes by Marco Asensio, who nearly won a penalty in the closing stages after being brought down by Boscagli.

Bradley Barcola, 4