Désiré Doué’s 53 minutes at Anfield that changed his standing and set PSG on course for Europe’s summit | OneFootball

A little over a year ago, Désiré Doué’s Anfield cameo helped swing a stormy Champions League last-16 second leg for PSG against Liverpool. He returns there on Tuesday for the quarter-final second leg.

According to L'Équipe, since that night he has been involved with France and was the best player in the 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan, scoring twice, assisting once and earning a 10 rating.

Introduced in the 67th minute with PSG under siege, he steadied the game by demanding the ball and playing forward without hesitation. He played 53 minutes from the bench and altered the mood of the tie.

It was Gianluigi Donnarumma’s great night at one end. At the other, Doué created four clear chances, including a sudden swivel shot in the 94th minute, then converted the fourth and final, decisive penalty after two earlier saves by the Italian, showing notable composure under pressure.

His rise had first flickered at Salzburg on 10 December, a 3-0 win in which he scored his first PSG goal. Through the winter there was a sense it might still have been a little early for him with France.

After Anfield, that question receded and he blossomed in the spring, even if year two in Paris has at times looked like a pause for digestion and renewal. “This season has been a bit up and down, mainly because of injuries. I was injured twice, it had never happened to me. I am very, very happy now to be playing fully fit, at 100% physically,” he told Téléfoot.

Source: L'Équipe