Paris (AFP) – Neymar got what proved to be the winner as Paris Saint-Germain breathed life into their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Wednesday that leaves last season’s runners-up dangerously close to an early exit.
Juan Bernat and Neymar scored to put PSG in control in the first half in the French capital, but a James Milner penalty on the stroke of half-time ensured this pivotal game remained in the balance until the death.
PSG knew a defeat here coupled with an unfavourable result in the night’s other Group C game could see the ambitious Qatar-owned club eliminated already, which would amount to little short of a catastrophe for them.
But instead it is Liverpool — beaten in each of their last five games away from Anfield in the Champions League — who now seem the more likely to miss out on the last 16.
“When you saw their line-up, the approach they chose was full risk, especially in the beginning, to try everything as long as your legs carry you. The quality they have meant it was obviously quite intense to deal with,” admitted Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
He acknowledged that his team had not been good enough, even if he was unhappy at Polish referee Szymon Marciniak for his decision not to send off Marco Verratti for a dangerous challenge on Joe Gomez in the first half.
Elsewhere Napoli beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1, and Liverpool must now win either 1-0 or by two clear goals at home to the Italians in a fortnight if they are to progress.
Such a regression in Europe would be a big blow to Liverpool, even if it could conceivably help Klopp’s side in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, PSG head to Belgrade for their last game still needing to win to be certain of advancing, but at least they have their fate in their hands.
“It was our last chance to show that we are capable of competing with a team like Liverpool, a team with an incredible mentality,” said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
“Everyone was ready to suffer for each other. That was necessary against Liverpool and it was a big step forward for us.”
– Liverpool overrun –
PSG had only won one of their previous seven games in the competition. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were completely overrun in the opening stages at the Parc des Princes.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2rbiVfd
No comments:
Post a Comment