Paris SG largely dominated AC Milan (3-0) in a fast-paced match on Wednesday evening at the Parc des Princes, taking the lead in their difficult Champions League group thanks to Newcastle’s home defeat against in Dortmund. Signing its second victory, Paris has six points, ahead of Newcastle and Dortmund (4) and Milan (2). In this tough group, for the identity of the two qualified, the fog is as thick as the smoke bombs in the colors of PSG launched by the ultras in the 51st minute.
Warren Zaire-Emery, already big
The turning point in the match had then occurred: just after the false joy of a goal denied to Dembélé, Pulisic launched on a counter-attack annihilated his own scoring opportunity by missing his pass to Leao. Immediately, in the opposite area, Kolo Muani pushed the ball into the net after a mix-up in the area (53rd). A few minutes later, Mbappé missed one of his duels with his sidekick from the France team Mike Maignan. But the Frenchman achieved the essential by transforming the appearance of the match with his opening score, after a powerful ball from Warren Zaire-Emery from the Parisian half (32nd).
However, AC Milan gave the Parc des Princes a cold sweat in the first half. Leao, particularly restless and dribbling, made Hakimi (quickly warned by the referee) and Marquinhos dizzy, notably with a shot which grazed Donnarumma’s left post (26th). You had to see the relief of Marquinhos, who frantically clenched his fists, when the Portuguese failed to obtain a corner after having manhandled him (74th).
Palestinian flag
Luis Enrique’s 4-2-4 tactical scheme, which leaked in the pressure cooker at Saint James Park against Newcastle on October 4 (4-1 defeat), could also continue to fuel discussions as the midfielders Zaire-Emery and Ugarte seemed quite lonely and overwhelmed by the Milanese before the first goal. The counter-attack projection that he guarantees nevertheless offers numerous scoring opportunities after the opening goal, when Milan let go of their defensive rigor to get back on track. The trio Mbappé, Dembélé and Kolo Muani enjoyed themselves several times by going up the pitch with long strides and long passes on the ground – without however going all the way. It took the entry of Lee Kang-in, finally back from his commitments with the South Korean national team, to make these promises come to fruition, for the midfielder’s first goal (89th).
In this meeting with historical ramifications as the two clubs exchanged players (Weah, Ronaldinho…), the Auteuil stand also summoned contemporary history, unfurling several banners paying tribute to the “innocent victims” of the conflict between Hamas and Israel and “against all forms of terrorism”, as well as Palestinian and French flags. The decidedly very fit public had also opposed before the kick-off, in their tifo, a Belmondo armed with a revolver with a Milanese devil riddled with bullets… What will try to do again on the field, symbolically, the Parisians during the return match on November 7 at the legendary San Siro.
In the meantime, PSG staved off the humiliation of Saint James Park by teaching a European great their own lesson. And will be able to confidently prepare for his revenge against the “Magpies”, for the 5th day, before finishing in Dortmund.