5 Takeaways From PSG’s 2-0 Win Over Liverpool in the Champions League | OneFootball

The 2-0 Score

Never change a winning team! Luis Enrique fielded the same starting XI that beat Liverpool last week at the Parc des Princes. PSG have kept two clean sheets against Liverpool and have qualified for the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth time in their history.

As in the first leg, though they struggled a little more, particularly in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Paris made the difference thanks to their Ballon d’Or winner. For the first goal, Bradley Barcola, who had just come on, broke down the left and reached the edge of the opposition’s box. He played the ball to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who found Ousmane Dembélé in the center. The Ballon d’Or winner curled a left-footed shot from 20 meters past Giorgi Mamardashvili (0-1, 72’). In stoppage time, PSG doubled their lead with a swift counter-attack. Vitinha played Kvaratskhelia in on the left, and the Georgian sent Barcola through on goal. The French international laid the ball off to Dembélé on the right, who slotted home with his right foot (0-2, 90+2).

Ousmane Dembélé in Ballon d’Or form

After a rather disappointing performance last week against the same Reds, Dembélé has returned to his best form; once again, he is the man for the big games. The French international has guided the defending champions into the semi-finals of the competition. He loves Anfield; he was the one who scored all three of Paris’s goals in the two matches against the Reds.

PSG has taken its mental game to the next level

Last year, at the same stage of the competition against Aston Villa, PSG also struggled at Villa Park and even lost (3-2). Against Liverpool, PSG were outplayed early in the second half, but this time, from the stands, you could sense that the Reds could have played for hours on end without managing to score. The reason, or rather the reasons, were Matvey Safonov, an impenetrable wall, a very solid defense, and players showing great solidarity. The perfect example was Marquinhos’s goal-line clearance and his sheer determination immediately afterward in the first half. The work Luis Enrique and his entire staff have done on the mental aspect is impressive.

Luis Enrique has guided PSG to the Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive season

The Spaniard, who is expected to extend his contract with PSG until 2030, is the perfect manager for Paris. He has achieved the incredible feat of guiding the reigning European champions to the semi-finals for the third consecutive season. This is the first time a French club has achieved this feat. It speaks volumes about the immense influence Luis Enrique has established at Paris Saint-Germain.

Two players were forced off through injury, and Barcola’s return to action

The low point of the match was Nuno Mendes’ first-half injury; the Portuguese international is believed to have suffered a muscle strain. Another player to go off was Désiré Doué just before the hour mark; the French international appears to have taken a knock. Finally, in attack, the good news of the evening was Barcola’s return to the pitch; he played a major part in the victory by being involved in both of Ousmane Dembélé’s goals.