PSG vs Club Brugge: UEFA Champions League group stage begins for Paris Saint-Germain. Their first match was against the Belgium team, Club Brugge. Lionel Messi was making his debut for the Frech powerhouse alongside Mbappe and Neymar.
Navas was keeping the goal post with the newly signed Donnarumma missing out. Hakimi and Wijnaldum also got the chance to play for their new club.
While the hosts make just one change to their starting line-up, with Rits coming into the team, replacing Vormer.
Paris Saint-Germain has played six games against Belgian opponents in the Champions League, recording five victories and drawing once. They have scored 21 goals across these six fixtures, while only conceding one goal in return.
The game saw an early booking for the PSG player Leandro Paredes. PSG struck straight away to take the lead. Ander Herrera was the man with the goal to send ahead just after 15 minutes. They worked it quickly down the left, with Mbappe taking on Mata down the wing, twisting and turning away from the defender, before drilling a low cross into the box, which is met by Herrera. The PSG man then produces a fine strike, to power the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
But Club Brugge did not hold back either. They equalised in the 27th minute. The goal was similar to the opening one by PSG, as Brugge also works it well down the left wing and Sobol finds space to pull the ball back to Vanaken, who races into the box and latches on it, before firing it past Navas. It was game on!
Many chances after that go begging for both the armies. In the 29th minute, Messi went off the bar! 33rd minute free saved by Navas. Then another in the 39th minute, it was dangerous when De Ketelaere’s effort from the penalty area was handsomely saved.
It was looking like Brugge was the team in the driver’s seat. Creating chances after chances. But the chances were not converted to goals as PSG’s defense was rock solid.
PSG’s worry grew larger as Kylian Mbappe was injured who had to be replaced.
Mendes in the 81st minute creating an opportunity to seal the match altogether. He does brilliantly down the left and drills a low ball into the six-yard box for Icardi, who was unmarked and he flicks it towards goal, but he somehow misses the target. He should have scored! It was the last chance of the match.
It somehow ends 1-1, despite numerous chances for both teams to win it in the second period, after first-half goals from Herrera and Vanaken. Brugge played brilliantly, roared on by the home crowd and constantly tested the PSG defense.
Navas was superb to deny Land on a couple of occasions. Meanwhile, at the other end, Messi and Icardi came close to scoring a second, but they just couldn’t find the breakthrough and had to settle for a point each.
PSG remain unbeaten against Belgian opposition in the Champions League, scoring 22 goals and conceding just twice. Watch the highlights of Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge. HERE.
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