Barça is reborn in Paris

Barça is reborn in Paris

The Blaugranas will look to have an advantage in Montjuïc to return to the semi-finals

BARCELONA, 10 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) -

FC Barcelona beat Paris Saint-Germain (2-3) this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and they are ahead in a tie that is still open after a first game It was an electric game in which Barça was quite fine in attack thanks to Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, author of a double.

Nothing has been decided yet but Barça is close to being reborn after what was seen in Paris. The Park did not belong to Prince Mbappé, no. For his quality, he was weak despite having some chances in his boots. And Barça took advantage of it to take a slight advantage in these quarterfinals, leaving behind a bad start to the match and having the nerve to, after being 2-1 down despite Raphinha's initial goal, come back again.

The comings and goings, the give and take, had blaugrana colors this time. It had been four years since Barça had reached the quarterfinals and, for now, they showed PSG that they want to return to the semifinals five seasons later. In Montjuïc everything will be decided, but Raphinha, a stellar Lewandowski despite not scoring, and the central couple formed by Aruajo and Cubarsí showed some green shoots of the Barça that may be to come.

And it was also good, while he was on the field, a Lamine Yamal who became the youngest player, at 16 years and 272 days, in the history of the competition to start in a UEFA quarter-final match Champions League.

Until the 20th minute, all the warnings were from PSG. But in the 21st minute everything changed, when a bad start by the local goalkeeper Donnarumma was close to being taken advantage of by Robert Lewandowski. But his header was taken over the goal line by winger Nuno Mendes. Later, Lamine Yamal looked for the goal but the Parisian defense diverted the action to a corner

Barça confirmed its improvement on the green of the Parc des Princes, after a start to the match of Parisian dominance, with a goal from Raphinha that made the large 'culer' fans explode. Something born from the boots of Pau Cubarsí and a Robert Lewandowski dressed as a creator. The Pole assisted Lamine Yamal, who ran as he knows how and placed a cross from the outside that the '9' narrowly missed, but Raphinha did, who positioned himself to finish the ball first, from the right, and score ' pleasure' despite Lucas Beraldo's attempt to head clear.

This time there was no miracle for the PSG defense and Barça was able to celebrate taking the lead in the 37th minute in this start to the tie that left no one indifferent. Neither did João Cancelo, who showed his best and worst side at the same time, in the same play. He left his rivals with speed, in perfect driving, but instead of seeing Ilkay Gündogan to the right of him completely unmarked, he decided to force his shot and his shot went directly wide, deflected.

Meanwhile, 'Gündo' looked at him and challenged the sky with his arms, without understanding why the full-back didn't assist him. It could have been 0-2 right on the edge of half-time. And, shortly after, it was Lamine Yamal who shot high after another counterattack in which, without being as clear as in the Portuguese full-back's play, he also had other connection options with Lewandowski.

Ousmane Dembélé had not yet scored in this 'Champions' and he chose to do so against his former team, against the coach who trusted him when many wanted him away from Barça. That's football, too. And the French winger took advantage of a bad clearance by Ronald Araujo in the area to cut back and shoot, despite the attempt to block three Blaugrana defenders, at Ter Stegen.

And the game got out of Barça's hands in just 3 minutes, in the first 6 after the restart of the clash, the time it took for PSG to come back. The second goal was the work of Vitinha, which culminated with a low and placed shot, crossed, a play that ended up causing the Parc des Princes to explode. A brutal change of sensations after passing through the locker room, with Barça incredulous after conceding those two blows.

So much work to take control of the match, such good play shown in both areas from the 20th minute onwards, to see in just 6 minutes of the second half how the deck fell apart. And the 'culers', the fans, began to think about those two actions forgiven by Cancelo and Lamine Yamal.

Luis Enrique Martínez opted at half-time to remove an ill-advised Marco Asensio and bring on Bradley Barcola, the young French winger called to be PSG's new star. Mini victory for Lucho at halftime. And the thing is that the possible 3-1 was in his boots, but his shot went to the crossbar and up, the action well protected by Pau Cubarsí who, despite appearing in the photograph of the 2-1, had no fault in that comeback Parisian. Great game for the youth center back, at just 17 years old, on such a grand stage.

But Xavi Hernández did not want to lose this first fight with Luis Enrique Martínez. He did not want controversy in the previous press conferences, despite the fact that the Asturian assured that he represented the Blaugrana spirit better than that of Terrassa. Well, Xavi brought on Pedri, recovered from his injury like Frenkie de Jong, and João Félix and Pedri, in his first action, sent a long ball for Raphinha, in the 62nd minute, to equalize with a masterful volley. Draws, again, in an electric match.

PSG tried to recover and Barcola, incisive, looked dangerous on the counterattacks. So much so that Ronald Araujo was key and impeccable in throwing himself to the ground and avoiding an accurate shot. And shortly after, Ousmane Dembélé was close to signing a double - which would have hurt a lot at Can Barça - when he sent his shot to the post, with Ter Stegen already beaten.

But Barça also warned with a long-range shot from João Félix that Donnarumma stopped well. And the tie was broken again by Barça thanks to an unstoppable header, coming off a corner and almost on goal, from Andreas Christensen who had just come out onto the field to give Frenkie de Jong a rest. Another 'minipoint' for Xavi.

Barça, who were left without the inspired Raphinha when they noticed discomfort, and who ended the game with Araujo with ramps, went back but also tried to retain the ball to defend themselves. It went well, although Ousmane Dembélé, in a cross-shot that was not clear what it was, was about to connect with Mbappé, who launched himself 'Superman' without actually hitting the ball. A scare that was repeated when Mbappé sent a shot at the goal of Barça's German goalkeeper, but he ended up in a corner. You can't win at the Parc des Princes without suffering, and Barça knew how to do it to impose their punch and return home with an advantage. Montjuïc will decide. And Xavi smiles.

--RESULT: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN, 2 - FC BARCELONA, 3 (0-1, at halftime).

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Lucas Hernández, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Lee (Zaïre-Emery, min.61), Fabián Ruiz (Gonçalo Ramos, min.85); Dembélé, Marco Asensio (Barcola, min.46) and Mbappé.

FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; De Jong (Christensen, 75th), Sergi Roberto (Pedri, 61st), Gündogan (Fermin, 85th); Lamine Yamal (John Felix, min.61), Lewandowski and Raphinha (Ferran Torres, min.76).

0-1. Min.37, Raphinha.

1-1. Min.48, Dembélé.

2-1. Min.51, Vitinha.

2-2. Min.62, Raphinha.

2-3. Min.77, Christensen.

--REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (ENG). He cautioned Vitinha (min.65), Beraldo (min.89) at Paris Saint-Germain and Sergi Roberto (min.34), Pau Cubarsí (min.82), Christensen (min.88), Fermín (min.89 ) at FC Barcelona. Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen will not play in the second leg due to suspension.

--ESTADIO: Parc des Princes.