The primary legs of the Champions League quarter-finals have delivered.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha shone in Paris, as Kylian Mbappe didn’t impress.
There have been additionally some record-breaking youngsters in Barcelona’s aspect, who confirmed sensible resolve within the face of a hostile Parisian crowd once they had been trailing.
‘First-class’ Raphinha delivers
Brazil winger Raphinha had by no means scored within the Champions League earlier than Wednesday’s tie in Paris, however you would not have identified it with the standard of his finishes.
For his opener, he capitalised on a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma to brush dwelling a free ball.
His second, which pulled Barcelona again degree, confirmed excellent talent as he watched Pedri’s clipped go come over his shoulder earlier than he volleyed dwelling with the skin of his left foot.
“I assumed Raphinha was firstclass,” mentioned 2007 Champions League runner-up Peter Crouch on TNT Sports activities. “There was a lot to admire technically about his second aim.”
Barcelona boss Xavi informed TNT Sports activities: “Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski made the distinction and Pedri helped us quite a bit. I am very joyful and really pleased with the crew.”
The 27-year-old was a hazard all through and had probably the most pictures (six), pictures on the right track (4) and touches within the opposition field (six) for Barcelona.
He received man of the match and informed Uefa.com: “These previous couple of weeks, we have been working very onerous in coaching. To return right here and to return dwelling with a win is fairly optimistic I might say. Profitable is necessary, however this tie is nowhere close to completed.”
‘Mbappe cannot be as unhealthy once more?’
On the alternative aspect was Mbappe. A World Cup winner and runner-up with France, who was third in final yr’s Ballon d’Or.
The Champions League is one trophy that has to date abandoned the 25-year-old, although.
This season represents his remaining likelihood to win the trophy for PSG too, with the ahead set to leave and join Real Madrid on a free switch this summer time.
His cut-back from the byeline enabled PSG to equalise after a poor clearance, however he was, on the entire, well-handled by the Barcelona defence.
He was restricted to simply three pictures, none of which had been on the right track, and had the fewest touches of any outfield PSG participant to play the total recreation (44).
“The very best participant on this planet, Kylian Mbappe, did not carry out right now and when he would not carry out then invariably PSG do not carry out,” mentioned 2008 Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports activities.
“He cannot be as unhealthy once more [in the second leg]. There isn’t any concern about him freezing on the large stage, it’s usually when he comes alive. If he decides to show it on, then he’s the man that may take them via.”
Ferdinand added that PSG must present a “a lot better model of themselves” in subsequent Tuesday’s second leg, however there may be “extra within the tank”.
Barca kids break Champions League information
Barcelona’s aspect has some skilled heads in 35-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and 33-year-old Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan however there may be loads of youth too.
They made historical past with Spanish winger Lamine Yamal (16 years and 272 days) and defender Pau Cubarsi (17 years and 79 days) changing into the youngest gamers to characteristic within the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Defenders Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are each 25, whereas 21-year-old Pedri was joined by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez off the bench.
They may have simply been overawed by the barrage of PSG strain their aspect had been below once they had been launched however they turned the sport on its head.
“The younger children had been super,” mentioned Ferdinand.
“They had been carried at occasions by the expertise however generally you want that fearless of Cubarsi and Yamal.
“If you happen to assume what we had been doing at 16 or 17 there was no means we may have gone in and carried out at that degree, with that form of power, aura and chest out to say ‘I am meant to be right here’.”
Xavi mentioned the membership should be “proud” of their kids, including: “They’ve extra dedication with the crew. I am joyful as a result of it is a new Barca however we’re in a great way.”
Barcelona are taking part in at this stage of the match for the primary time since 2020 and have solely reached the final 4 in one in all their previous 5 makes an attempt.
They could want the know-how of the skilled gamers and fearlessness of youth to make it two from six subsequent week.
