Sports Desk, Apr 11 (EFE).- Brazilian striker Raphinha scored twice, while Andreas Christensen came off the bench on his 28th birthday to head home the winner as Barcelona defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal in Paris on Wednesday.
Ousmane Dembele (CR) of PSG and teammate Kylian Mbappe in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, 1st leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona, in Paris, France, 10 April 2024. EFE-EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha found the back of the net for the Paris team but it was the visitors who took the honor and a big advantage going into the second leg on Apr. 16 in Barcelona with the kind of performance that they had failed to deliver in many days.
Paris Saint Germain’s Vitinha (L) and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, 1st leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona, in Paris, France, 10 April 2024. EFE-EPA/YOAN VALAT
In a duel witnessed by Ronaldinho, who played for both teams, PSG pressed early, but Barcelona settled on the defensive strength given by teenager Pau Cubarsi.
With Frenkie de Jong back into the side after an injury lay-off, Barcelona grew in confidence gradually to make their presence felt and control the first half, which they led 1-0 thanks to Raphinha’s 37th-minute strike.
Nuno Mendes cleared off the line from Robert Lewandowski to deny Barcelona, but Raphinha earned the visitors the deserving lead, whipping his finish into the far corner after Gianluigi Donnarumma palmed away Lamine Yamal’s low cross.
The French were desperately searching for Kylian Mbappe, who, time and again, crashed into his compatriot and teammate Jules Kounde, who managed to keep the Parisian star quiet.
PSG caught the Barcelona defense asleep at the start of the second half to find not only the equalizer but also take the lead in a crazy few minutes that saw Dembele and Vitinha score.
Dembele, who switched his loyalty from Barcelona to PSG this season, resolved with a shot that reached the net for his first goal in Europe and the second of the season.
Two minutes later, Vitinha pierced Barcelona’s defense with astonishing pace and put his team ahead.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez made two tactical substitutions at the hour mark, withdrawing Yamal and Sergi Roberto to bring in Pedri and Joao Felix, which did wonders.
The move allowed Raphinha to switch to his natural position on the right wing, and the result came immediately. Pedro delivered an indecisive pass off the first ball he touched that Raphinha could do nothing but send into the net.
Dembele threatened to seize back the initiative but was denied by the post in the 75th, but Christensen, who had just replaced De Jong, headed Barcelona’s third from a İlkay Gundogan corner.
Xavi acknowledged they still had a job to do.
“I’m extremely proud of my team. If you don’t feel proud now then when? I think Paris probably still remain favorites to go through,” he said.
“They are a terrific side and we’ve managed to reduce their impact tonight – we aimed to send them wide and we managed that. Particularly in the first half, we pressed really well; nice and high.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique has the return leg already on his mind.
“Obviously it’s a defeat we didn’t want. We had good moments. We were up against a good team. We pressed well in the second half. But they were good, and they regained the lead.”
“If we watch all the quarter-finals, there have been a lot of goals. When you play at this level, every team is a top outfit. We have to think of next week as a final.” EFE
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