Another enthralling contest in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals just goes to show why most would agree that the UCL is the pinnacle of football talent, and surely the most coveted trophy to win after the World Cup. And this time, it was the other Spanish giant FC Barcelona taking on a fiery Paris Saint Germain. One of the more anticipated draws of the quarter finals did not disappoint, with players giving it their all for a spot in the semi-finals. Barcelona might’ve snatched a victory with a 3-2 scoreline, but it was neck-and-neck right till the end.
First-half
Barcelona looked great in the first half, dominating the possession and looking to attack strategically. Raphina looked mighty impressive, making those piercing runs and always looking to score, getting a few shots on target that could’ve very well gone in another day. Yamine Lamal had no playoff jitters, dribbling across the field whenever his team required him to. The first goal was beautifully crafted by the Barca frontline. Lewandowski threading the pass to Lamal, and he crossed it back in an effort to get back to the charging Lewandowski, but it met the gloves of Donnaruma, who unfortunately fisted it straight to Raphina, who netted it in with disdain as they finally got the lead they deserved. And they held onto that lead till the half-time whistle.
Second-half
Come the second half, PSG looked a completely different side, with Dembele delivering a composed yet fierce strike which Ter Stegen was helpless to stop, immediately followed by a Vitinha grace into the back of the net. And within 5 minutes of the second half, the Paris crowd were up on their feet as their team upheaved a deficit into a lead. The teams were deadlocked for a while, but substitutions seem to have done a world of benefit for Barcelona, when a beautiful aerial ball from the freshly-subbed Pedri met the golden feet of Raphina, who volleyed it in to get Barcelona level. Christensen was then subbed in and within just 71 seconds headed a Gündoğa corner in, which was his first touch of the game! Barcelona held onto the lead, if only by a thread, to end the match on a grateful 3-2.
Insights
While it wasn’t as quiet as Haaland’s night, Mbappe didn’t have the impact that his team would’ve liked him to. Raphina was clearly the best player on the pitch, and proved to be the vital difference between both sides. The high-voltage match saw a barrage of yellow cards to players, some who will miss out on the next match due to consecutive cards. Very much like the Manchester City match, this match swayed in advantage from one side to another. PSG were incredibly unlucky too, finding the crossbar on some occasions. Another match that will depend heavily on the second-leg of the quarters, but with Barcelona playing with a goal-lead at home, they have a big advantage and should see themselves through.
