Substitute Angel Correa scored a dramatic winner with the final kick of the sport as Atletico Madrid snatched a 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, kickstarting their Champions League marketing campaign and casting a big cloud over the French membership’s European hopes. It appeared as if the sport on the Parc des Princes would finish in a draw after Warren Zaire-Emery’s early opener for PSG was rapidly cancelled out by Nahuel Molina within the first ever assembly of the golf equipment.
PSG have been let down by their ending within the Champions League all season and that was the case once more right here as they did not convert a bunch of possibilities, however Atletico didn’t appear to be successful it till Correa struck within the 93rd minute.
The Spaniards would have been the happier of the 2 groups with a draw, particularly as goalkeeper Jan Oblak had been compelled into a number of second-half saves.
Having misplaced back-to-back matches in opposition to Benfica after which Lille, the win places Atletico again on monitor to at the least make the play-off spherical of this new-look Champions League, with the league part now on the midway stage.
“Today PSG performed higher however we had the additional pressure that we lacked in opposition to Lille,” stated Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
“We got here right here lacking 5 gamers, we conceded a aim early on, however the group didn’t collapse.”
The night was additionally notable for the pre-match unfurling by PSG followers at one finish of the stadium of an unlimited banner in assist of Palestinians in Gaza.
“War on the pitch however peace on the earth,” stated the banner, which additionally featured a Lebanese flag.
That might result in disciplinary motion from UEFA, however that can most likely be the least of PSG’s worries now.
‘Inexplicable’
They could also be prime of Ligue 1 however within the Champions League final season’s semi-finalists have simply 4 factors, regardless of taking part in three of their 4 video games to date at residence.
Having edged Girona 1-0 on the opening matchday after which misplaced 2-0 at Arsenal, the French champions have since drawn at residence to PSV Eindhoven and now misplaced to Atletico.
They face a troublesome task subsequent away to Bayern Munich and nonetheless must play Manchester City, which means their hopes of ending within the prime 24 locations and qualifying at the least for the play-off spherical should be doubtful.
“Without any doubt,” coach Luis Enrique admitted, including that he felt the defeat was “inexplicable” and “unfair”.
“I do not suppose anybody who noticed this recreation may say it was a good consequence,” he stated. “With the run we’re on I can not assure that we’re going to qualify.”
Luis Enrique’s aspect might want to rapidly enhance in entrance of aim having now scored simply 3 times of their final six Champions League matches, a run stretching again to final season’s semi-final in opposition to Borussia Dortmund.
Atletico have been lacking two key defenders right here in Jose Maria Gimenez and Robin Le Normand. Clement Lenglet subsequently began at centre-back and he was at fault as PSG went forward within the 14th minute.
Lenglet dithered on the ball in his personal field and was dispossessed by Ousmane Dembele. He arrange Zaire-Emery and the 18-year-old took his time earlier than coolly clipping the ball over Oblak and in.
However, Atletico have been degree simply 4 minutes later when a ball into the field by Giuliano Simeone got here off a PSG defender and fell for Molina to fireplace in.
Atletico have been then very happy to absorb PSG’s stress, and the hosts couldn’t discover a second aim regardless of ending the sport with nearly 70 % possession and 22 makes an attempt.
Oblak excelled within the second half with notable saves twice from Bradley Barcola, in addition to one from a Marquinhos header and one other to disclaim Achraf Hakimi.
Then got here the third minute of harm time, wherein Lee Kang-in was denied by the Atletico goalkeeper and Hakimi did not convert the follow-up.
Atletico then broke downfield and the ball got here to Correa who stroked a shot previous Gianluigi Donnarumma to depart the PSG followers surprised.
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