Camp Nou was the place where the UEFA Champions League returned between Barcelona and PSG. We have tonight’s player ratings
FC Barcelona was improving over the last few months but they faced PSG tonight, last season’s Champions League finalist. Even if Neymar wasn’t there, Kylian Mbappe was still an important danger for the Blaugrana. Ronald Koeman made the controversial decision to include Gerard Pique in the starting eleven despite just recovering from a knee injury. From the start of the game, you could see his inclusion was the worst possible idea.
Even though Messi scored the opening goal from the spot, PSG dominated the game throughout the 90 minutes. Kylian Mbappe soon appeared to equalize the game after an exquisite assist from Marco Verratti. The Blaugranas held on to the result for another 20 minutes after the break, and they completely bottled it after. We got to experience the Kylian Mbappe show during the last 25 minutes of the game.
Mbappe nets a hat-trick at Camp Nou.
Kylian scored the second goal of the evening in the most expected moment from a dominant PSG. Koeman made five modifications that didn’t make a single difference against one of the most powerful clubs in Europe today. Moise Kean scored his goal for the 1-3. And last but not least, Mbappe got his hat-trick with a counter-attack that gave PSG the fourth goal of the evening.
After tonight’s exhibition, Lionel Messi must be considering his future at the Catalan club if he wants to keep winning titles. Mbappe proved he is arguably the most suited heir to Messi and Ronaldo’s throne. He needed a performance like tonight in order to remind the world he is the future. The return leg will be almost impossible for Barcelona’s turn around. This knock-out stage is pretty much decided.
Player ratings
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen (5), Alba (5), Pique (3), Lenglet (5), Dest (3), Busquets (4), De Jong (6), Pedri (6), Griezmann (4), Messi (6), Dembele (4).
Bench: Mingueza (5), Puig (6), Trincao (5), Pjanic (5), Braithwaite (5).
PSG: Navas (7), Kurzawa (6), Marquinhos (7), Kimpembe (7), Florenzi (7), Paredes (9), Verratti (9), Gueye (5), Mbappe (10), Icardi (7), Keane (8).
Bench: Herrera (7), Draxler (6), Danilo (6), Kehrer (5).
Feel free to make your pick on player’s ratings and performances using the widget below.
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