In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs, Paris Saint-Germain got off to a sluggish start. The Parisians found themselves trailing just 55 seconds into the match, as Folarin Balogun scored following a cross from Aleksandr Golovin, heading the ball past Matvey Safonov (1-0, 1′).
Things quickly went from bad to worse for PSG, who saw a significant defensive lapse result in Monaco’s second goal. Balogun struck again with a powerful right-footed attempt (2-0, 18′).
Advertisement
PSG attempted to regroup and capitalized on a mistake by Wout Faes, leading to a penalty for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, although Vitinha’s effort from the spot was unsuccessful (2-0, 22′). This marked the fourth penalty miss for PSG in their last five Champions League matches. Struggling with his fitness, Ousmane Dembélé was substituted for Désiré Doué shortly thereafter (2-0, 26′), a decision that surprised many given Dembélé’s status as a Ballon d’Or winner.
However, PSG began to regain their composure towards the end of the first half. Just three minutes after his introduction, Doué showcased his talent with a brilliant left-footed strike that brought PSG back into contention (2-1, 29′).
Doué also played a crucial role in the equalizer; his powerful shot was deflected by Philipp Köhn, allowing Achraf Hakimi to find the net with his right foot (2-2, 41′).
Advertisement
Doué’s entry clearly revitalized PSG. In the second half, they took control of the match and gained a numerical advantage following Golovin’s red card for a foul on Vitinha (2-2, 48′). Doué, having faced recent criticism, answered by scoring twice, including a spectacular left-footed shot that put PSG ahead (2-3, 67′).
This marked Doué’s third brace in the Champions League for PSG, following impressive performances in the final against Inter Milan and against Leverkusen last October. With his decisive contributions, he was undoubtedly the standout player at the Stade Louis II.
While PSG secured the victory, they missed opportunities to extend their lead and effectively secure their qualification.
PSG in a Strong Position Ahead of Next Week’s Return Leg
Similar to last season against Brest, PSG claimed victory in the first leg of the play-off and will look to confirm their 14th consecutive qualification for the Champions League round of 16 at Parc des Princes.