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MOTD: Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 Barcelona

By on September 30, 2014

Many called the absence of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Paris Saint-Germain’s death wish as they hosted Barcelona, but it hardly proved itself to be a burden on PSG. Barcelona hadn’t allowed a single goal this season prior, only to let in three tonight, without even having to face Zlatan. The two goals PSG allowed were preventable, and David Luiz certainly could have done better with the organizational force of Silva, but Barcelona cannot be discredited for their brilliant and trademark quick build up play that lead to both goals.

Moreover, the their performance went a long way to proving PSG aren’t reliant on Silva and Ibrahimovic. Their young guns gunned down Barcelona. Marco Verratt, Blaise Matuidi, and Thiago Motta enjoyed limited time on the ball in midfield, however, provided two of PSG’s three goals, and proved quick on the counter. Granted, PSG were their most threatening on set-pieces, even without Silva and Ibrah. Speed and set pieces was how PSG maintained their home record in European competitions. All without Ibrah, usually such a prominent player in both of those attributes for PSG.

Of course, Barcelona controlled large portions of the game. Over the entire ninety minutes they kept 63% of possession, and dominated in the opening minutes. Their defense lacked, though. Gregory Van Der Wiel terrorized down the wing on the break, and Barca were simply shambled at defending set pieces. Just ten minutes in they managed to clear a corner out, only for Lucas Moura’s following cross to catch them off guard. David Luiz had time to spin with the ball in the box, before side-footing a low effort into the bottom corner.

But make no mistake – while Barcelona’s defense might have lacked they were brilliant, simply brilliant at the other end. In fact, in less than a minute they were level. After a flowing, quick move, Andres Iniesta dragged Maxwell out of position with his run down the left side of the box, creating space for him to cut it back to Lionel Messi, who coolly slotted home the finish. It was all Barca, but once again their defense let them down and after needlessly giving up the ball in the midfield Edison Cavani arrowed a bullet of a shot just inches over. And while Barca so nearly took the lead twenty-five minutes in as Messi’s scooped pass found the run of Neymar in behind the PSG defense, the Brazilian’s lobbed effort dropped onto the roof of the net, and PSG pounced on the break. They won a corner at the other end, and Ivan Rakitic and Marc Andre ter Stegen completely miscommunicated allowing Verratti to sneak in behind at the far post and tap a simple header into the back of the open net.

Barcelona were right back on the attack, only for Iniesta to see his effort fly over and Messi find his dipping effort drop just beyond the post. But once again, they failed to finish their chances, perhaps missing Luis Suarez (who is still suspended), and their defense let them down. It took until the second half, but their goal gave PSG an intimidating 3-1 as Matuidi got in behind at the far post to turn home Van der Wiel’s low cross. It was hardly surprising that Barca nearly immediately grabbed one back, as Neymar converted Dani Alves’ cross at the far post, but it simply wasn’t enough to make up for all their defensive errors.

Xavi came on as a late substitute, in turn making his record breaking 160th Champions League appearence, but even with his presence Barca couldn’t break through. PSG’s young full-back Marquinhos somehow denied Jordi Alba of a late equalizer with an incredible block, and Munir El Haddadi, another Barca sub, rattled the crossbar with Salvatore Sirigu beaten with five minutes to go. PSG had every man behind the ball, but that is when perhaps Barca operate the best, and Sandro was given the chance to equalize in stoppage time, only to somehow, somehow, drag his low effort wide. Had their defense been a bit tighter perhaps Xavi could have been given the celebration he deserved.
Man of the Match: Blaise Matuidi

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.