With a view to providing our readers with even richer content, we’ve come up with the idea of launching a section featuring an analysis of the key actions in a match, whether in terms of goals scored or conceded, fine moves, near misses and the like. The aim is to determine how much of each action was a collective or individual success or error. Here’s the new number. These are the goals from the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-finals (return on March 15).
The situation when Nuno Mendes recovers the ball before the conceded goal.
For the moment, PSG are in no particular danger. Nuno Mendes is the first on the ball, and the nearest opponent has even accepted it. It’s clear that he stops early and prefers to defend a pass rather than play a duel.
This normally gives the Parisian full-back time to choose. The initially risky pass to Achraf Hakimi in the middle now seems relatively safe. Alternatively, he can play to Vitinha on his left, trusting his team-mate to deliver in one touch. Or there’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia even further to his left.
The Portuguese chose to control, and also to hook. Aston Villa take the opportunity to climb back up.
The situation after 2 touches of the ball.
Nuno Mendes kept the ball and is now a little more enclosed. It’s worth pointing out that Hakimi could come back down to still be a good solution or cover if the ball is lost. Just as there could be a move from Lucas Beraldo or Willian Pacho behind. But everyone may have been surprised by Nuno Mendes’ choice.
He could still pass the ball to Kvaratskhelia, who then had an interesting forward option in Fabian Ruiz as Aston Villa pressed forward. But Mendes tried the dribble and proved his opponents right.
There was nothing of note in the Parisian defence afterwards, as Aston Villa projected very well after recovering the ball from a defender’s feet.
The situation when Doué is served the equalizer.
There’s not much to say collectively about a superb long-range shot, except that space was also created for it. It seems like nothing, but it’s important. Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho are almost at the corner of the box with defenders on them.
While other Parisians are at the far post, they could have stayed put. Except that they went towards goal. In anticipation of Doué’s dribble or to receive the possible cross? Hard to say, but movement is always essential.
This also attracted Youri Tielemans, who was in front of the box, when he could have been more confident and instead blocked Doué. This fear on the part of Aston Villa, with their plan to play very low as a priority, cost them a goal this time.
The situation on Kvaratskhelia’s goal.
This time, on winning the ball back, PSG immediately moved forward with a pass from Neves to Dembélé. Importantly, Hakimi immediately set off forward, while Ruiz also moved forward, spreading himself a little to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Dembélé senses the move very well, serving Hakimi deep with a back-heel.
The situation when Ruiz receives the ball.
It’s worth noting here that Hakimi sent the ball a little behind Ruiz, partly because the Aston Villa player was in his way. But, and there’s little to add here: Fabian Ruiz produced a superb pass. Turning, he managed to throw Kvaratskhelia deep with just the right amount of pace. It’s not quite as impressive and memorable as the Georgian’s subsequent sequence, which everyone (rightly) picked up on. But it’s still worth noting.
La situation quand Neves sert Dembélé sur le but de Mendes.
We also scored this last goal, after a slight hesitation. It doesn’t look like much. Aston Villa are very tired and can’t keep up with Dembélé as he stalls. So he has room to control the ball towards goal and watch the situation.
That’s where PSG’s strength lies, in its ability to occupy space without players being tied down to one position. The most important thing is that positions are occupied. Nuno Mendes and Warren Zaïre-Emery are the two most advanced players in the middle.
Nuno Mendes then launches himself deep towards goal, while Zaïre-Emery stays further back, possibly in order to spread out the defense and avoid having two similar calls.
