A few days after its victorious trip to the Arsenal field as part of the semi-finals go from UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 this Saturday afternoon. A new perilous trip awaited the capital’s club in the warm atmosphere of the Meinau stadium in the face of a Strasbourg formation in the fight for a European qualification. As the return match against Arsenal approaches, Luis Enrique decided to line up an alleged eleven, marked in particular by the big beginnings in Ligue 1 of Axel Tape in central defense. The young titi thus formed an unprecedented duo with Lucas Beraldo in front of the cage guarded by Matveï Safonov, while Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaïre-Emery, captain of the day, took place on the corridors. In the middle, the Spanish technician decided to keep Joao Neves, supported by Kang-in Lee and Senny Mayulu. In attack, Ibrahim Mbaye took place on the right flank, with Bradley Barcola opposite, thus surrounding Gonçalo Ramos at the forefront of the attack.
Despite the sequence of meetings and the warm atmosphere of the Meinau, our red and blue were not long in taking the game on their own. Following a beautiful combination between Bradley Barcola and Lee Kang-in, Gonçalo Ramos could only resume the center of the South Korean. The first thrill was felt in the process, with a double occasion of a particularly stirring Senny Mayulu in the start of the match. Completely asphyxiated in the first quarter of an hour, the Alsatians offered themselves a first corner following a first attempt with Axel Tape. A stopped kick who was smiling in Strasbourg, who managed to open the brand against the course of the game following a ball unfortunately deflected in his own nets by Lucas Hernandez following a plunging head from Sar (1-0, 20e).
It only missed this first goal to definitively launch this duel between two of the most playful teams in the elite. Driven by his audience, Liam Rosenior’s men increased the intensity and approached Matveï Safonov’s goal, who won his duel for the first time against Emegha, in any case reported in the output position. The reaction of the Red and Blue was not long, since Gonçalo Ramos was in turn took his chance of a closed angle, without success. Wishing to reset the counters to zero before the break, Paris evolved above in the field, thus leaving several opportunities for counterattacks for the Alsatians.
Launched in depth, Emegha again found himself facing Safonov, but the red and blue porter was vigilant by leaving the feet of the Dutchman. While the capital’s club ended this first period well, Strasbourg once again crucified Paris. Launched on the right side, Diarra found Félix Lemaréchal in the axis which, of a splendid volley from the outside of the surface, managed to deceive Safonov (2-0, 45e+3).
-Upon recovery, Luis Enrique decided to make his first changes. Injured at the end of the first act, Lee Kang-in gave way to Désiré Doué, while a new Titi made his debut in the professional world: Noham Kamara, who replaced Lucas Hernandez. Changes that immediately made the difference, since the capital’s club managed to reduce the entrance gap following a fantastic solo action by Bradley Barcola, which dates back all half a field on its left side before deceiving Petrovic with a cross strike (2-1, 46e). Ideally returned to their second period, Parisians multiplied the assaults on the Alsatian cage. In turn, Mbaye and Barcola stood on the defensive rigidity of Strasbourg.
At the time of play, Fabian Ruiz in turn made his entry into the field, in place of Joao Neves. The Spanish international immediately showed his desire to make a difference by unchecking a clear shot despite the closed angle, forcing the Strasbourg porter to the parade. Over the minutes, Paris was increasingly taking leather control, approaching the opposing surface. Omnipresent in this end of the meeting, Désiré Doué tried her luck twice, but lacked precision to worry the last Alsatian bulwark.
Even the Titis showed themselves in the spotlight in these last minutes, like the first attempt by Mbaye. Receiving the ball at 20m, the Parisian community showed a good inspiration by trying its luck, without success. Despite the chain of matches and the fatigue of a second trip in the space of a few days, the capital’s club showed relentless fighting spirit to try to equalize. Gifted, still so thunderous, was elusive on his left side and sent a millimeter center for Gonçalo Ramos, whose head was unfortunately too crossed to take the path of the net.
In a state of grace and carried by his audience, Petrovic chained the miraculous parades in front of Mbaye, Barcola, then Ramos. Despite the desire and the many opportunities, Paris rose to a solid team from Strasbourg. All eyes are now turned to the return semi-final of UEFA Champions League against Arsenal. Winners of a short head in London a few days ago, our red and blue have an appointment with their destiny Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. The meeting is made!
