Stunning result in Group F as Paris Saint-Germain hand Barcelona were handed their first loss of the season by Paris Saint-Germain as goals from David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi were enough to ensure the three points stayed at home. David Luiz with the opening goal for PSG. The likes of David Beckham and Jay Z were in attendance for this game.Barcelona countered with strikes from Lionel Messi and Neymar, but were unable to find the equalizer, despite coming within an inch or two of scoring on a couple occasions. Barcelona started the game with an expected lineup, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen starting in place of Claudio Bravo in goal. The center-back duo was once again formed by Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano, while Pedro started alongside Messi and Neymar in the front three.
Looking back at the first half, there were some positives in Barcelona’s play, obviously capped off by the beautiful Messi goal, but it was clear that Barcelona were unsettled by Paris Saint- Germain’s high pressure. And PSG took full advantage of that and of their physicality in the air game, scoring both of their goals from set-piece situations. Quickly after the Neymar goal PSG started threatening again, forcing ter Stegen to make a couple of saves and the Barcelona defense to make a few important plays that prevented further bombardment of the Barcelona goal. It was a valiant effort in the end by Barcelona, but it was all too little too late as the Catalans lost their first game of the season in the game in which they allowed their first goal of the season. Lucho now has time until Saturday to iron out the problems as an always difficult away game at the Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano awaits. Just seconds into added time Neymar found Sandro in a good spot to tie the game, but the young forward didn’t get a good shot off, missing the goal by some distance despite taking the shot from a prime scoring position. The Catalans piled on the pressure for the remaining few minutes of added time, but were left unrewarded for their efforts. PSG Hold on for 3-2 Win over Barcelona. FC Barcelona lost today against a brilliant Paris Saint-Germain side, and that is something that we all must keep in mind. This loss came at the perfect time to serve as a wake up call ahead of Luis Suárez’s return and the derby against Real Madrid, and there is much more to learn from than to moan about.
Final score and result
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN 3 VS 2 FC BARCELONA
( Luiz, Verratti, (Neymar, Messi)
Matuidi)
