Barcelona came from behind to claim a dramatic 3-2 first-leg victory against Paris Saint-Germain in another exciting night of Champions League quarter-final play.
After a good PSG start, Barcelona took over the tie and Raphinha scored his first Champions League goal when Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled Lamine Yamal’s cross.
PSG were booed off the pitch as the half-time whistle blew at the Parc des Princes, but Luis Enrique changed his team’s shape and led to a stunning turnaround straight after the restart.
Ousmane Dembele produced a thunderous finish to equalize against his former club and with the momentum now with the hosts, Vitinha sliced through Barcelona just two minutes later to put PSG ahead.
But there was to be another dramatic comeback, when Raphinha’s superb volley drew Barcelona level. Andreas Christensen then came off the bench to head the winner from a corner, giving Barcelona a slim lead ahead of the second leg next week.
Here’s what we learned from another exciting night of Champions League action
Kylian Mbappe disappears while other stars shine in thriller
Another exciting evening in the Champions League, but where was Kylian Mbappé? After the drama at the Emirates and Bernabeu last night, the Parc des Princes staged another stunning first leg quarter-final as Barcelona came from behind to beat PSG and take a lead back to Spain.
There were brilliant attacking performances all over the pitch, especially from Barcelona forward Raphinha – as the former Leeds striker scored his first Champions League goals, including an excellent volley from Pedri’s through ball. At the other end, Ousmane Dembélé took charge after half-time and scored a rocket of an equalizer against his former club.
Mbappe, however, was largely anonymous and barely had a touch, let alone an electric dribble or chance, apart from a late, late shot that went wide. A burst of pace saved the ball from the byline just before Dembele smashed into the roof of the net, but that was it and Mbappe’s international teammate Jules Kounde did an excellent job of marking it.
Mbappe is expected to leave PSG at the end of the season, and if this was his final Champions League appearance in Paris, it was a smooth road to exit.
Barcelona exposes PSG’s soft center while Donnarumma struggles
Another hugely disappointing night for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, with defensive weakness once again at the heart of the problem in a major knockout tie.
At the center was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who never looked comfortable dealing with crosses as Barcelona targeted the Italy international early on with a series of inswinging balls. Donnarumma did not cover himself in glory when he spilled Yamal’s cross, leading to Raphinha’s opener, and then failed to control his box late on as Christensen headed Barcelona into the lead. It was coming.
There were also problems for Donnarumma, caused by a great all-round centre-forward from Robert Lewandowski. The 35-year-old was excellent with his back to goal, winning his duels with Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo and turning brilliantly to take three PSG players out of the game in the move that led to Raphinha’s opener.
As for PSG, where was the defensive resilience and solidity? It cost the Parisians the Champions League again.
Xavi and Luis Enrique face off in an exciting tactical battle
This was a night before the impact substitute. Both Xavi and Luis Enrique managed to change the rhythm and momentum of the match with their substitutions, leading to an exciting match between the managers on the sidelines and the players on the pitch.
Barcelona manager Xavi more than held his own against his former Barcelona boss Enrique, and his choice of starting lineup allowed the visitors to take control of their quarter-final. Xavi also changed his tactics and went straight to Robert Lewandowski, who PSG could not deal with in the opening stages.
But Enrique swung into action at half-time and took control of Barcelona when he removed ineffective false nine Marco Asensio and brought on Bradley Barcola. The move gave Dembele the freedom to score his stunning equalizer before Vitinha put PSG ahead just two minutes later.
Xavi then responded with his own adjustment, taking off Lamine Yamal and bringing on Pedri to help stabilize Barcelona in midfield. The change had an immediate impact, with the former Kopa Trophy winner setting up Raphinha’s equalizer with a stunning chip over the PSG defence.
Then came another twist. Barcelona had been causing PSG problems all night with their inswinging corners, so the introduction of a tall centre-back in Andreas Christensen was Xavi’s next move, and the defender soon headed Barcelona back into the lead.
Barcelona’s teenage stars shine on the big stage
What a night this was for Barcelona’s legendary academy, La Masia, as history was made in the Parc des Princes. Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to start a Champions League quarter-final at the age of 16. Pau Cubarsi became the second youngest at the age of 17, as he was at the heart of the defense.
Yamal has been a breakout star this season and has already starred for the Spanish national team. So it was Cubarsi who perhaps made the biggest impression with a remarkably confident performance as a centre-back. Cubarsi was composed on the ball and rarely put a foot wrong. Barcelona still has a gem in its hands.
Pedri also deserves a mention. The 21-year-old has had a terrible time with injuries since breaking into the first team as a teenager two years ago, so his assist for Raphinha’s equalizer was a wonderful reminder of his own talent.
Haller’s goal gives Dortmund hope against Atletico
Borussia Dortmund created their own problems at Atletico Madrid as defensive errors left the German side with a mountain to climb, but Sebastian Haller’s late goal provided a lifeline at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Dortmund gifted Rodrigo de Paul an opener after just four minutes in Madrid, before another mix-up at the back allowed Antoine Griezmann to set up Samuel Lino to add a second shortly after the half-hour mark.
Haller’s instinctive turn and finish sets up an intriguing second leg in Dortmund next week, with the momentum of the tie changing as Julian Brand came close to equalizing in stoppage time with a header that hit the crossbar.