PSG vs. Barcelona: Score, Grades, Reaction from Champions League Quarter-Final
Luis Suarez scored a superb second-half double as Barcelona defeated Paris Saint-Germain, 3-1, on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar netted in the 18th minute to give Barcelona an early advantage, but PSG hit back with a series of chances shortly before half-time. Suarez then struck a pair of stunning solo efforts, in the 67th and 79th minutes, before PSG pulled back a late consolation through a Jeremy Mathieu own goal.
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The late goal will give PSG some hope of a comeback in the second leg, which is scheduled for next Tuesday at Barcelona's Camp Nou. But with a two-goal cushion—and three away goals—in hand, Barcelona will be the clear favourites to progress.
PSG will take some solace in the fact that stars Zlatan Ibrahimvoc and Marco Verratti will be available for the second leg after serving suspensions Wednesday night. But unless the French side can match Barcelona's strength and depth in attack, Barca will be tough to beat.
Indeed, PSG created a number of chances, especially during a bright period near the end of the first half. But the Ligue 1 champions were wasteful in front of goal, with Edinson Cavani especially at fault.
Up next for Barcelona, who lead La Liga by two points, is a home match against Valencia on Saturday. PSG, who saw a 33-match home unbeaten run in European competitions end, play at Nice this weekend.
"FT: #PSG 1-3 #FCB - No complaints, the better team won. As I said all those big games & injuries have caught up on us. Credit to Barca.
— 1970 PSG (@1970_PSG) April 15, 2015"
Barcelona controlled possession early in the match, but PSG created the first good chance in the ninth minute against the run of play. Blaise Matuidi led the move, making a fine run down the flank before pulling back for Javier Pastore, who mishit his shot from six yards.
The visitors went straight back on the attack and struck the woodwork in the 14th minute. Suarez picked out Lionel Messi along the edge of the area, and with plenty of time to pick his spot, Messi curled a shot off the far upright, with PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu beaten.
It was only a brief reprieve for PSG, though. In the 18th minute, Barcelona took the lead.
Following a giveaway by the home side, Messi led a counter down the middle before laying off for Neymar on the left. Showing excellent composure in front of goal, Neymar took a step before side-footing a low shot past Sirigu for the opening goal.
The situation quickly became worse for PSG as captain Thiago Silva limped off with an injury within moments of the goal. PSG played with 10 men for more than two minutes before David Luiz replaced Silva in central defence.
Neymar had another sight of goal from the left flank in the 26th minute, but this time, he sent a weak shot straight at Sirigu, who saved comfortably.
PSG began to grow in stature as half-time approached. The hosts broke forward quickly in the 28th minute after Ezequiel Lavezzi won possession off Martin Montoya. Lavezzi then played the ball to Cavani in the middle, but Cavani overhit his first touch and the opening passed.
Cavani had another opportunity in the 35th minute, but his weak shot failed to trouble Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
PSG had another injury scare late in the first half, with Sirigu needing a moment to recover after diving to save a curling Suarez shot in the 43rd minute. The goalkeeper landed awkwardly after making the save, but he remained in the match.
The second half began much as the first had ended, with PSG creating chances as they searched for an equaliser. In the 49th minute, Ter Stegen did well to parry Pastore's deflected shot. One minute later, the German goalkeeper stopped Adrien Rabiot's low effort from outside the box.
Barcelona had to make a change in the 53rd minute due to injury, with Andres Iniesta leaving the pitch on a stretcher. Xavi replaced him in Barca's midfield.
PSG were still very much in the tie, but in the 67th minute, their task became much more difficult following a stunning solo goal by Suarez. Collecting a pass from Montoya on the right flank, Suarez promptly cut inside and nutmegged Luiz with a deft touch. After beating two more defenders inside the box, the Uruguayan opened his body and finished right-footed at the near post off Sirigu's outstretched hand.
Barcelona suddenly held a firm grip on the tie with a 2-0 lead on the night, as well as two precious away goals. But PSG were far from finished, and in the 69th minute, Cavani came close with a thumping shot on target after Barca were unable to clear a corner. The shot packed quite a bit of power, but Ter Stegen pushed the ball away to maintain his clean sheet.
Messi had a chance to score Barcelona's third goal in the 73rd minute, sidestepping a series of defenders before setting up his favoured left foot for a shot near the edge of the box. The Argentine hit the ball sweetly, but his curling effort sailed past the top corner.
With full-time fast approaching, Suarez netted again in the 79th minute with another piece of outstanding individual skill. After trading passes with Javier Mascherano in midfield, Suarez headed straight for goal, nutmegging Luiz again before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner for 3-0.
With that, the tie appeared all but over, but PSG managed to pull a goal back in the 82nd minute. There seemed to be little danger as Gregory van der Wiel struck a speculative shot toward the goal from the edge of the box, but Mathieu stuck out a leg to redirect the ball into his own net to give the hosts hope.
Cavani had another chance in the 89th minute, when the ball fell to him in a promising position following a scramble in Barcelona's box. But Mathieu made a timely intervention, blocking the Uruguayan's shot. One minute later at the other end, Messi curled a free-kick on target, but Sirigu saved.
Those turned out to be the final chances as Barcelona claimed a victory that puts them within striking distance of the semi-finals.
Grades
| Salvatore Sirigu | 5.9 |
| Gregory van der Wiel | 6.8 |
| Thiago Silva | 6.0 |
| Marquinhos | 6.5 |
| Maxwell | 6.1 |
| Adrien Rabiot | 6.5 |
| Yohan Cabaye | 6.2 |
| Blaise Matuidi | 6.7 |
| Ezequiel Lavezzi | 6.9 |
| Edinson Cavani | 6.6 |
| Javier Pastore | 6.5 |
| David Luiz (for Silva, 21') | 6.6 |
| Lucas Moura (for Rabiot, 65) | 6.5 |
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | 6.9 |
| Martin Montoya | 7.2 |
| Gerard Pique | 6.7 |
| Javier Mascherano | 7.3 |
| Jordi Alba | 7.0 |
| Ivan Rakitic | 7.4 |
| Sergio Busquets | 7.5 |
| Andres Iniesta | 6.7 |
| Lionel Messi | 8.6 |
| Luis Suarez | 9.4 |
| Neymar | 8.1 |
| Xavi (for Iniesta, 53') | 6.5 |
| Jeremy Mathieu (for Rakitic, 74') | 5.9 |
| Adriano (for Montoya, 80') | No rating |
Reaction
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, via BBC Sport:
"It's an important win for us. There are lots of ways you can describe our play. We were attentive, had possession and were good in defence. We made a lot of chances and were solid. We need to look to win the return match and avoid surprises.
"
Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, via BBC Sport:
"We weren't overly dominant. We played intelligently, and worked hard. When you play against an opponent like them you have to play with intensity to get the win. We knew we had to win. There's 90 minutes still to go and nothing is sorted, but we have a good advantage.
"
