This Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain faced Liverpool at the Parc des Princes in the return leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 Round of 16. After a match in which the Red and Blues clearly didn’t play the same game as in the first leg, they managed to go into extra time, winning 0-1 in normal time, and at the end of extra time went to penalties to win 1_4 in the shoot-out (1-1 on aggregate, Liverpool/PSG video highlights). Here are our grades for the Parisians.
Goalkeeper –
Gianluigi Donnarumma (8) – A good first half in which he did his job in the air. He also saved Liverpool’s only shot on target in the first 45 minutes. Under pressure from his feet, he didn’t take any risks. He was very good in the second half.
Defenders –
Achraf Hakimi (6) – Was hesitant in the first half and uninspiring offensively. He was more defensive than usual. The configuration of the match did not allow him to shine offensively. Some poor choices at the end of the second half could have been costly.
Marquinhos (6) – Less present in the duel in the first half, he had to work hard a few times to contain the onslaught. A big foul at the start of the second half made him look less serene. Replaced by Lucas Beraldo in the 92nd minute.
Willian Pacho (7) – Solid, he came out well at times. He’s still a bit scary at the restart. Blocked a few well-struck balls. Did his job well.
Nuno Mendes (7) – A fine first half. He scored the first goal. He hurt Salah. In the second half, he seemed to run out of steam at times.
Midfielders –
Joao Neves (6) – A little less present in the first half. He was well dealt with by Liverpool players who were more committed than in the first leg. Still, he did the job he was asked to do. Replaced by Gonçalo Ramos on 120 minutes.
Vitinha (7) – He did well to get the ball out, as he often does, but he also missed a few “easy” things in the first half. It’s hard to gauge his performance, between interesting at times and frustrating at others. All the same, he was one of Paris’ best.
Fabian Ruiz (4) – A complicated first half for him. He’s a player who’s good when the opposition lets him play more. He suffered against the more present and aggressive Liverpool. Replaced by Warren Zaire-Emery at the start of extra time.
Forwards –
Ousmane Dembélé (6) – Scorer, he ran around a lot and ended the first half with a lack of lucidity. Absent in the second half.
Kvhicha Kvaratskhelia (5) – Did the job defensively, and threw the rockets forward on several occasions. It’s a pity he was a little too forceful in one or two situations. Much less present offensively in the second half. Replaced by Lee Kang-in in the 102nd minute.
Bradley Barcola (5) – Was instrumental in Dembélé’s goal. He’s also one of the players who scares Liverpool on the counter-attack. That said, it must have been a frustrating first half for him, as he had fewer chances than usual. Replaced by Désiré Doué in the 67th minute.
Coach –
Luis Enrique (6) – He hadn’t got us used to this. He adapted by playing at a lower level and his team pressed less. A choice that paid off in the first half, but one that exposed his team to the skill of Liverpool’s players. It’s strange to see his PSG behaving this way. Overrun in the second half, he didn’t react any more than that.
