LdC: powerless, PSG snatches a draw against PSV Eindhoven

After a painful initial victory against Girona (1-0) and a logical setback against Arsenal (0-2), Paris Saint-Germain continued its Champions League campaign this Tuesday against PSV Eindhoven. A poster within reach of the Ile-de-France residents since the Dutch lost against Juventus (3-1) and shared the points with Sporting CP (1-1). To seek victory, Luis Enrique opted for his classic 4-3-3 with a midfield composed of Warren Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz when Vitinha started on the bench. Up front, Kang-in Lee accompanied Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola in attack. For its part, PSV Eindhoven relied on former Niçois Walter Benitez in goals and Olivier Boscagli in central defense. In front, Johan Bakayoko and Noa Lang supported Luuk de Jong. Paris Saint-Germain tried to start strong in this part. Achraf Hakimi was found in front of goal with a nice cross. He erased Matteo Dams but was unable to hit (2nd). On this good Parisian impulse, Willian Pacho ideally launched Bradley Barcola on the left whose attempt would finally die in the small Dutch net (12th). This became more and more clear and a dangerous cross from Bradley Barcola for Kang-in Lee provoked the intervention of Walter Benitez (16th). Better, Nuno Mendes crossed perfectly in front of the goal for Ousmane Dembélé who finally hit the crossbar (19th). Very disappointing in the last gesture, the winger would miss another action after half an hour of play by hitting clearly above the target (30th).

By missing its opportunities, Paris Saint-Germain was finally punished. Joao Neves had the ball stolen by Ismaël Saibari. The latter launched Noa Lang on the left who played Marquinhos and was going to adjust Gianluigi Donnarumma (1-0, 34th). A goal that hurt Parisian minds. Stunned, Luis Enrique’s players were unable to come back to score before the break. Returning from the locker room, the Parisians pushed forward with a shot from Ousmane Dembélé being pushed back for a corner by the goalkeeper (50th). Finally, the Ile-de-France efforts were rewarded following a corner. Found on the left in front of the Dutch area by Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi unleashed a shot which was going to lodge between the legs of Walter Benitez (1-1, 55th). PSV Eindhoven could have regained the advantage on a counter where Guus Til found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper and shifted Noa Lang to the left but Marquinhos appeared perfectly to deflect for a corner (61st). A cold snap for the Parisians who then put their foot on the ball and tried to look for a second goal. A few initiatives from Bradley Barcola (73rd) and Achraf Hakimi (81st) came to nothing when Mauro Junior came close to punishing the Parisians (86th). In the last seconds, Olivier Boscagli hooked Marco Asensio in his area and the referee designated the penalty (90th +2) before reconsidering. Marquinhos could have scored with a header afterwards but Walter Benitez pushed back in front of the line (90th +6). Ultimately, the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. PSG temporarily finds itself seventeenth in the standings when PSV Eindhoven is 27th and therefore outside the qualifying places.