PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 2-2 Monaco [agg. 5-4]: Reigning champions advance after red card for visitors | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2 with Monaco to win 5-4 on aggregate and reach the Champions League Round of 16. The holders advanced after the visitors had a man sent off.

PSG had overturned a two-goal deficit in the first leg, yet Monaco arrived in Paris with renewed purpose. According to Get French Football News, Luis Enrique struck a cautious note, saying they aimed to win rather than defend a lead.

The first clear opening fell to Mamadou Coulibaly, who lifted over with the goal gaping after Maghnes Akliouche had beaten Matvey Safonov. Désiré Doué led the line in Ousmane Dembélé’s absence and created without the finish. Bradley Barcola rattled the bar moments before the interval.

Right on half-time, Coulibaly squared for Akliouche, after Caio Henrique’s work down the left, and the Frenchman found the bottom corner to level the tie. The turning point came on the hour when Coulibaly received a second yellow in three minutes.

Seconds later Marquinhos tapped into an empty net from Doué’s cross that evaded Philipp Köhn. PSG extended their cushion soon after when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished the rebound to Achraf Hakimi’s shot from range. Jordan Teze replied in stoppage time, then a final free-kick came and Wout Faes and Thilo Kehrer could not test Safonov.

A stiffer examination than last year’s Brest tie, it still leaves PSG defending their crown, though the laboured first hour hinted they remain short of last season’s form and fitness.

Source: Get French Football News