On Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain faced Aston Villa at Villa Park in the second leg of their Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-final (3-1 first leg, 4-5 aggregate). After a match in which the Rouge et Bleu clearly didn’t play well, they lost 3-2, but qualify for the semi-finals. (Aston Villa/PSG video highlights). Here are our notes on the Parisians.
Goalkeeper –
Gianluigi Donnarumma (8) – He had a great game, was focused and saved his team on several occasions. Despite the goals he conceded, he showed that he’s also a great goalkeeper.
Defenders –
Achraf Hakimi (6) – Scorer, but a less accomplished match overall than he is capable of. During PSG’s really weak period, we should have seen more of him leading the revolt. Nevertheless, he remains one of the team’s most reliable players, even in times of turmoil.
Marquinhos (4) – An average match overall, both technically and mentally. He was again a wait-and-see attitude and had moments when he defended far too much by backing off. Aston Villa’s comeback reminded him that you can’t win a match by being afraid.
Willian Pacho (4) – A complicated match for him, he had notable difficulties defending well at times.
Nuno Mendes (5) – Scorer, but at fault on several occasions. Appeared less focused than against Liverpool. Made some technical errors. When he’s focused, he’s very good, but his lapses prevented us from appreciating the overall result of his match.
Midfielders –
Joao Neves (6) – Good all-round performance, but was a little late as the team struggled to set the pace it usually does.
Vitinha (4) – Surely one of his worst matches of the season. He didn’t have his usual mastery and defended very poorly in a few situations. A match to forget for him.
Fabian Ruiz (5) – Neutral, he cruelly lacked speed in his transmissions in this match. He also struggled defensively.
Attackers –
Ousmane Dembélé (5.5) – Great desire, but didn’t play the best game of his season. Often generous, he also suffered from the Parisians’ bad periods.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (3) – Completely missed his game offensively. Helped out defensively.
Bradley Barcola (6) – A qualitative match for him overall. He also struggled to keep hold of the ball when he needed to. Replaced in the second half by Désiré Doué.
Coach –
Luis Enrique (5) – His line-up choices were logical, but we didn’t recognize his PSG in the second half. Few changes to inspire a revolt after his men’s worrying performance.
