On this Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain faced Atlético de Madrid at the Parc des Princes as part of Matchday 4 of the Champions League 2024-2025. After a match in which the Rouge et Bleu largely dominated, without being effective, they finally lost 1-2 (video summary PSG/Atlético Madrid). Here are our notes on the Parisians.
Goalkeeper –
Gianluigi Donnarumma (5) – A good save, but on the ensuing move, he conceded the goal without really being able to do anything about it. Untroubled in the second half, he could clearly do better for the final goal.
Defenders –
Achraf Hakimi (6.5) – A clean first half, he tried and showed his worth. He had a fine second half, but it’s a shame he had one or two moments when he wasn’t lucid. After all his efforts, it’s hard to blame him, but at the end of the game, he needs to do better on the last chance, especially in the Champions League.
Marquinhos (6) – A little short on character, with too much tendency to play short for his midfielders without fixing the opposition. A good second half, higher up the pitch.
Willian Pacho (5.5) – The same as Marquinhos, but with less quality in getting the ball out. A real area for improvement. Needs to do better in games where PSG are in no real danger.
Nuno Mendes (6) – On the goal, he defended too dilettante. He needs to put in more energy. Offensively, we saw glimpses of his great qualities. In the second half, he made a difference and showed his passing ability.
Midfielders –
Joao Neves (5) – An intense first half, he clearly showed his qualities, but we now expect him to be more direct in his build-up play. He had a few flashes of brilliance in the second half, both with a pass and a shot, but it was too little to change the scoreline. Replaced in the 68th minute by Fabian Ruiz.
Vitinha (5.5) – Omnipresent, but less magical than last year. He’s got that high-level technical quality, but he’s not as much on top as he could be. He no longer shoots and is less interested in direct passes forward. More enterprising in the second half, we found him a bit more offensively. Defensively, he was too passive for the late goal.
Warren Zaïre-Emery (6) – A fine goal and a fine forward pass, but otherwise very mobile without being exceptional. Replaced by Randal Kolo Muani in the 73rd minute.
Forwards –
Ousmane Dembélé (6) – Energy, great qualities, he clearly hurt the Spaniards in the first half. Decisive passer. Tried hard in the second half, but without success. Replaced in the 80th minute by Désiré Doué.
Marco Asensio (3) – Clearly on the ball in the first half. We didn’t really find him and he didn’t really exist. Absent from the game in the second half. Replaced in the 68th minute by Lee Kang-in.
Bradley Barcola (5) – Well-muscled, he wasn’t a key player in the first half. He clearly turned up the heat in the second half, but without being decisive, for which he could be criticized.
Coach –
Luis Enrique (4) – A classic 11, expected, he didn’t like the back passes, too regular for his liking. We need control, but we also need to be quicker in our transmissions. His PSG doesn’t score in the Champions League and that’s costly.
