Paris controlled everything, or almost everything, in this first leg quarter-final of the Champions League. Superior in the game, the Parisians won against Liverpool (2-0) this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, taking a serious advantage that was as logical as it was deserved before the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.
The message was displayed in the stands and heard on the field. Behind a tifo calling to “awaken Hulk”, PSG started their quarter-final as a powerful block, suffocating Liverpool from the start, organized with five defenders and unable to get out of their own half.
With overwhelming possession in the first fifteen minutes, Luis Enrique’s men applied constant pressure. Initially clumsy on a first attempt (9th minute), Doucouré then found his mark: he turned and shot with his right foot. Deflected by Gravenberch, his attempt lobbed Giorgi Mamardashvili and ended under the bar (1-0, 11th minute).
Continuing on, Paris maintained pressure without immediately breaking through. Launched at the end of a fluid collective action, Dembélé notably missed the opportunity to widen the gap (43rd minute), before missing the target at close range after the break (53rd minute).
Liverpool Ineffective
Liverpool, on the other hand, was long silenced, deprived of offensive solutions like Mohamed Salah, who sat on the bench. It wasn’t until the 49th minute that the first attempt was seen, a shot from French forward Hugo Ekitike.
Without consequences for the Parisians, who continued to dominate. They could have been caught by the inefficiency they have sometimes shown this season.
But this time, they hammered the nail. Sent through, Kvaratskhelia performed a solo act resisting Gravenberch and eliminating Mamardashvili before scoring into the empty net (2-0, 66th minute). This was the Georgian’s eighth goal in the Champions League this season, confirming his taste for big occasions.
Dembélé Hits the Post
Despite a penalty initially awarded then overturned after VAR intervention (70th minute), the Parisians kept control of the match.
With 74% possession and a clear superiority in chances (18 shots to 3), Luis Enrique’s men dominated from start to finish. Ousmane Dembélé, once again, hit the post towards the end of the match (87th minute), symbolizing a night where he contributed without always being rewarded. Before the return to Anfield on Tuesday, PSG has taken a comfortable lead and can dream of a double.
