David Luiz was quite pleased with Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-2 win over Barcelona, applauding the entire squads commitment throughout the pitch.
When Paris Saint-Germain needed it the most, the French champions conjured up an impressive 3-2 UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona. In doing so, they have not only turned a corner in their season, but they have surely also ensured under-fire coach Laurent Blanc’s future.
– Blanc: PSG on par with Europe’s elite
It was a heroic night for les Parisiens at the Parc des Princes. PSG’s performance contrasted sharply with the one we saw in the 1-1 draw with AFC Ajax in Amsterdam a fortnight ago, and Blanc’s players were clinical in front of goal this time around, even if none of their goals came from attacking players.
The performance was almost perfect from the French capital outfit; few — if any — teams would have stopped Lionel Messi’s irresistible Barcelona equaliser at 1-1 and it was inevitable that Luis Enrique’s men would score at some point against a PSG defence deprived of captain Thiago Silva. It did take some brilliant defending late on, but the hosts were full value for their entertaining victory.
PSG’s success not only lifts them to the top of Group F on four points, it also extends an incredible unbeaten home run in European competition to 29 matches.
That feat dates back to a 4-2 loss against Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Cup in the November of 2006, an achievement made all the more impressive when you consider that the capital club did it without Silva, the influential Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi. PSG have now atoned for what they will see as dropping points in Amsterdam, so now their campaign can really get underway if they can replicate this desire to perform domestically.
Player Ratings (0-10; 10 = best)
Salvatore Sirigu, 6 — Beaten twice, there was not much that the Italian could have done about either Messi or Neymar’s excellent finishes. Sirigu did make a number of important saves and aerial claims — something that is not the Azzurri’s star’s strong points — to contribute to the victory though.
Gregory van der Wiel, 7 — Firmly established as PSG’s first-choice right-back, the Dutchman demonstrated exactly why he is ahead of talented understudy Serge Aurier in the current pecking order. Van der Wiel provided the cross for Matuidi’s winning third goal and played his part in a solid defensive effort — despite picking up a booking — also posing the Barcelona back line problems out wide.
David Luiz, 7 — The Brazilian showed against Barca exactly why PSG were prepared to spend big on his this summer. Luiz was impressive alongside Marquinhos and was extremely focused and disciplined for the entire 90 minutes, a world away from his absent-minded display in the 1-1 draw in Toulouse last weekend. The 27-year-old took his goal well and brought his big game experience to the table.
Marquinhos’s big block drew quite a reaction from the PSG fans — and the player himself.
Marquinhos, 9 — This was arguably Marquinhos’ best performance of an impressive season, and that is saying something because there have been quite a few. Although PSG conceded twice on the night, the talented Brazilian defender hardly put a foot wrong. The 20-year-old fought for everything capped an inspired performance with a heroic late block on what would have been a certain Jordi Alba goal. Marquinhos’ celebration after that save will go down in PSG folklore.
Maxwell, 7 — Calm, composed and simple — as always — Maxwell put in one of his standard performances. To see the Brazilian put in a poor display is a rarity, and it is a mystery why such a consistent player remains so underrated in the twilight of his career. His experience and serenity was a big boost for PSG on the night.
Thiago Motta, 9 — After a less than impressive start to the season, the Italian — a former Barcelona player — was back to last term’s vintage best. Motta marshalled the midfield for 90 minutes and exuded total control over his team as captain. The Azzurri star was totally dominant, and along with Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti, starved the Barcelona midfield of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic of time on the ball.
Marco Verratti, 8 — The diminutive Italian finally ended his wait for his first goal in PSG colours with his strike against Barcelona, his 92nd match for the French champions. The goal — a header of all things from the pint-sized midfielder — put the hosts 2-1 up at a crucial moment in the game and capped another mature display from the maestro.
Blaise Matuidi had control of the ball and pestered Barcelona throughout the match.
Blaise Matuidi, 8 — Like his fellow midfielders Motta and Verratti, Matuidi was irrepressible in the centre of the Parc. The French international was a key player in Blanc’s tactical master plan and took his goal well when the chance presented itself.
Lucas Moura, 7 — Although he did not score, Lucas was part of an impressive and hard-working attacking unit. Blanc’s idea to play a 4-3-1-2 suited the Brazilian perfectly and it gave him the space he needed to unsettle Barcelona on their left side. Moura’s searing pace was a constant menace to Jordi Alba in particular, who failed to get to grips with the Selecao star.
Javier Pastore, 9 — El Flaco has been in improving form since the start of this season and the Argentine playmaker’s renaissance continued against Barcelona. Deployed in his favoured No. 10 role behind a front two of Edinson Cavani and Lucas, Pastore conducted the play and was able to indulge his creative genius. He picked up the ball and provided the link between the midfield three and the front two brilliantly, unsettling Barca’s back line with his unpredictable movement.
Edinson Cavani, 6 — In attacking terms, it was another disappointing performance from Cavani. However, in this match, the Uruguayan’s defensive contribution should not be overlooked. El Matador put the team first — to his detriment — displaying admirable work rate and outstanding commitment. His lack of a goal on the night will likely attract criticism, but his willingness to muck in to ensure that PSG closed out the 3-2 win should be applauded.
Substitutes
Yohan Cabaye, N/A — A 71st-minute substitute, Cabaye did not really see enough of the ball to merit a score. However, he did relieve Verratti at a key moment in the match, with the Italian already on a booking.
Clement Chantome, N/A — Brought on in place of Pastore late on in order to see out the remaining five minutes or so, Chantome was not given enough time to make a real impact. However, he could have provided the assist for a late fourth on a PSG counter-attack.
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, N/A — The perfect fresh-legged replacement for Lucas, who exited the field with cramp as the game crept into injury time, Bahebeck barely got a touch of the ball before the final whistle. However, simply being given some game time in such a massive match should be seen as encouraging by the 21-year-old PSG youth academy graduate.