French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) welcomed five-time Europe conquerors Barcelona to the Parc des Princes for the primary leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night time (April 10). Unbeaten in all competitions since November 2023, PSG had been anticipated to take the struggle to the Spanish champions proper out of the gate however one way or the other by no means bought into the groove. Because of this, Xavi’s Blaugrana dominated Luis Enrique’s Parisians in France and returned to Spain with a commendable 3-2 victory. Raphinha and Andreas Christensen had been on the scoresheet for Barca whereas Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha discovered the again of the online for Les Parisiens.
Raphinha Runs The Present For Effervescent Barcelona
There was a variety of hypothesis relating to Raphinha’s future at Barcelona. Based on rumors, the Catalans don’t see him as an integral a part of their challenge and will ship him off within the upcoming summer season switch window to boost funds. Judging by the rumors, the Brazilian winger must money in on each alternative to increase his keep in Catalonia and he seemingly had that desperation in the back of his thoughts on Wednesday.
The previous Leeds United winger scored the primary two objectives for Barcelona, with the primary one coming within the thirty seventh minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma did not take care of Lamine Yamal’s low cross from the fitting flank. The unfastened ball landed at Raphinha’s toes, permitting him to curve it into the again of the unguarded PSG web. Three minutes into the second half, Ousmane Dembele dispatched a venomous shot from contained in the field, leaving Marc-Andre ter Stegen scrambling because the ball bulged the netting. A few minutes later, Vitinha put PSG in entrance, making use of a cool end from shut vary to high off a scintillating workforce transfer.
Simply when it regarded like Barcelona had been heading towards a disappointing night time, Raphinha struck once more, executing an impeccable volley to ship Pedri’s supply into the again of the online. Raphinha got here off for Ferran Torres within the 76th minute, however he was simply the standout performer of the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
PSG Celebrity Kylian Mbappe Endures A Irritating Night time
Whereas his modern Raphinha delivered a Man of the Match efficiency, PSG ace Kylian Mbappe was nowhere close to his finest. He did create three possibilities in opposition to the Blaugrana, however his runs not often amounted to something. He was additionally sluggish to react at instances, which prompted a number of presentable alternatives to cross him by.
Over the course of the sport, the Actual Madrid-bound attacker failed to tug off 4 of his 5 tried dribbles, performed solely two passes into the ultimate third, misplaced eight of 10 floor duels, and dedicated three fouls. Mbappe should do a a lot better job in subsequent week’s return leg if he desires to push his workforce to the ultimate 4 of the UEFA Champions League.
