Paris Saint-Germain strengthened their position in the Champions League with a 4-2 victory over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, in the third match of the league stage. Luis Enrique's side responded twice to Barça equalisers before pulling away with authority late in the game. This win adds to a recent run of three wins and two losses from their last five matches across all competitions.
The manager was pleased with the team's collective display.
The starting lineup
For this heavyweight clash, Luis Enrique set up in his usual 4-3-3 with Safonov in goal, a defence of Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho and Hernández, and a midfield trio of Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz. The attack featured Doué, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia. Opposite them, Flick started young defender Xavi Espart alongside Cubarsí at centre-back.
How the match unfolded
Paris Saint-Germain opened the scoring in the first half. João Neves provided the assist for Désiré Doué to beat Joan García with a precise finish (38'). The Catalans responded after the break through Xavi Espart, who equalised from a Fermín López pass (55').
The Parisians immediately regained the lead. Lucas Hernández, pushing up from defence, restored the advantage with a powerful header from a Doué corner (72'). Lamine Yamal levelled the scores once more with a curled effort (79').
But Paris Saint-Germain found another gear in the closing stages. Vitinha put his side back in front two minutes later with a long-range strike (81'), before Fabián Ruiz sealed the win from an Achraf Hakimi pass (86').
Stats and context
The Parisians dominated the statistics, registering 22 shots with 15 on target for an expected goals (xG) value of 3.77. This victory continues a strong European run, following the 4-2 win at Manchester City last week and the 3-1 comeback win at Strasbourg last Saturday, with goals from Zabarnyi, Dembélé and Doué. In the domestic league, Paris Saint-Germain sit second in Ligue 1 with 14 points from seven games, having recorded four wins and two draws, with a goal difference of +5 having scored 14 and conceded nine. The team's top scorer this season is Ferran Torres with four goals. They are four points behind leaders Lyon whom they face next Sunday at the Parc des Princes (20:45).
Enrique's men now turn their focus to that clasico against Lyon, a key match for maintaining pressure at the top of the table. The home fixture will be played on Sunday 25 October.
Paris Saint-Germain won its third consecutive Champions League match and took sole lead of its group, the club confirmed Wednesday. Manager Luis Enrique, however, lamented injuries to three key players during the 4-2 victory over FC Barcelona. "They are three injured players, three important players, it's the worst news," the coach said, without detailing the severity of the issues for Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Marquinhos.
Paris Saint-Germain goalscorer Désiré Doué commented on the team's mentality following the 4-2 win over FC Barcelona. "We never feel powerless in this group," the forward told reporters, second in Ligue 1 with 14 points, has now secured a third consecutive victory after wins against Manchester City and Strasbourg.
Barcelona have filed a complaint with UEFA against Paris Saint-Germain over an aggressive banner displayed by home supporters before Tuesday's Champions League match, the Catalan club announced Wednesday. The banner showed a masked man in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt cutting through the Barcelona crest with a chainsaw, with the slogan "Massacre, Parisien style". Barcelona also reported offensive chants. UEFA will wait for the match delegate's report before potentially taking action.
Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Sunday the severity of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's injury. The Georgian forward, injured against FC Barcelona, has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the club stated. Kvaratskhelia reacted on social media. "Why me, actually?", the player wrote, adding he was ready to endure "months of work, pain, and tears" for his comeback. Paris Saint-Germain, second in Ligue 1, faces Lyon on Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain ended FC Barcelona's run of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, the club stated on Wednesday. The 4-2 victory at the Parc des Princes also saw Paris Saint-Germain equal its club-record unbeaten run in the Champions League, reaching 13 matches without defeat. The club, second in Ligue 1 with 14 points, also scored 14 goals in three matches, equaling the highest historical tally at this stage of the competition.
