Di Maria Danced Around Iniesta Delivered PSG Wins
Di Maria Danced Around Iniesta Delivered PSG Wins
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PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player, Angel Di María was at his vintage best as he scored twice on his birthday in a 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in their Champions League last 16 first leg.
The Argentina winger scored in each half, with PSG’s Germany midfielder Julian Draxler and the Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani also finding the net as the French champions tore apart a disorganised Barcelona side who have it all to do in the return leg.
PSG, eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 and 2015, were the more aggressive side at the Parc des Princes and have put themselves in a commanding position before the 8 March second leg at the Camp Nou. The five-time European champions Barcelona have not gone out in the last 16 since losing to Liverpool in the 2006.
The only downside for PSG coach Unai Emery was the loss of the impressive Marco Verratti to a leg injury in the second half after a brilliant display from the Italy international and his fellow midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the first half.
PSG were dangerous on the break and came close to scoring in the 11th minute when the captain Blaise Matuidi’s rasping shot was parried by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after a perfect through ball from Rabiot.
The home side were rewarded seven minutes later when Di Maria whipped a free kick over the Barcelona wall into the net. Barcelona continued to play their patient possession game but failed to threaten, and their complacency was punished again five minutes before the break.
Lionel Messi lost the ball in midfield and Verratti slid a perfectly weighted ball to the right for Draxler, who fired a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net.
PSG started the second half strongly and went further ahead in the 55th minute when Di Maria danced around Andres Iniesta before curling a shot past Ter Stegen from 25 yards. Verratti limped off the pitch in some discomfort after 71 minutes, and was replaced by Chris Nkunku.
PSG continued to push forward, however, and a minute later Cavani, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, rifled a low shot past Ter Stegen for his seventh goal in seven games in the competition this season.
The hosts also defended perfectly, with centre back Presnel Kimpembe putting in a superb performance on his Champions League debut in the place of PSG’s injured captain Thiago Silva.
Barcelona had a chance to get an away goal seven minutes from time but Samuel Umtiti’s header hit Kevin Trapp’s right-hand post, leaving Luis Enrique’s side with a mountain to climb. No team have ever overturned a deficit of four or more goals to progress in the Champions league knockout stages.
The Argentina winger scored in each half, with PSG’s Germany midfielder Julian Draxler and the Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani also finding the net as the French champions tore apart a disorganised Barcelona side who have it all to do in the return leg.
PSG, eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2013 and 2015, were the more aggressive side at the Parc des Princes and have put themselves in a commanding position before the 8 March second leg at the Camp Nou. The five-time European champions Barcelona have not gone out in the last 16 since losing to Liverpool in the 2006.
The only downside for PSG coach Unai Emery was the loss of the impressive Marco Verratti to a leg injury in the second half after a brilliant display from the Italy international and his fellow midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the first half.
PSG were dangerous on the break and came close to scoring in the 11th minute when the captain Blaise Matuidi’s rasping shot was parried by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after a perfect through ball from Rabiot.
The home side were rewarded seven minutes later when Di Maria whipped a free kick over the Barcelona wall into the net. Barcelona continued to play their patient possession game but failed to threaten, and their complacency was punished again five minutes before the break.
Lionel Messi lost the ball in midfield and Verratti slid a perfectly weighted ball to the right for Draxler, who fired a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net.
PSG started the second half strongly and went further ahead in the 55th minute when Di Maria danced around Andres Iniesta before curling a shot past Ter Stegen from 25 yards. Verratti limped off the pitch in some discomfort after 71 minutes, and was replaced by Chris Nkunku.
PSG continued to push forward, however, and a minute later Cavani, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, rifled a low shot past Ter Stegen for his seventh goal in seven games in the competition this season.
The hosts also defended perfectly, with centre back Presnel Kimpembe putting in a superb performance on his Champions League debut in the place of PSG’s injured captain Thiago Silva.
Barcelona had a chance to get an away goal seven minutes from time but Samuel Umtiti’s header hit Kevin Trapp’s right-hand post, leaving Luis Enrique’s side with a mountain to climb. No team have ever overturned a deficit of four or more goals to progress in the Champions league knockout stages.
(rnz)
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