PSG, OL – The eye of Denis Balbir: “A humiliation for Paris, Lyon has something more in Europe”
Zapping But! Soccer club Champions League: the top 10 of the best scorers in history
“More than a disappointment for PSG, this elimination on the lawn of Real Madrid (3-1 after winning 1-0 at the Park) is a humiliation. We saw a team from Paris who dominated the Merengue for a match and a half, with a two-goal lead, and who are once again being returned.
Wednesday evening, everyone was disappointed. There is no strength of character, no rebellion. We are far from the time of Luis Fernandez and Gabriel Heinze. No one moves, everyone bows their heads. We raved about the arrival of Messi who is practically useless. Neymar was still behind despite his decisive pass for Mbappé. Even Marquinhos, who is nevertheless one of the essential men, completely derailed by making an unintentional assist and countering a strike from Benzema against his side. Pochettino again hid behind the refereeing problem not to talk about the shortcomings of his team. What Leonardo did a little, but half-heartedly.
“Not a team, a love of individuals”
We will also have to come back to the but gag collected by Gianluigi Donnarumma. We had already pointed out the Navas-Donnarumma problem. The arrival of the Italian has weakened Keylor Navas, who has been less efficient this season. Donnarumma, who was expected in the decisive matches, did not take his chance at the Bernabeu. It’s part of a whole lot of things that go wrong in Paris. As I have been saying since the start of the season, this PSG is not a team, it is a collection of individuals. Some good, some not so good. Nor should we hide behind arbitration to explain this disappointment. It is not this year again that Qatar will think of the Cup with big ears. The last 11 Ligue 1 games will be sad in Paris, with the only French championship title to go and protect…
“Mbappé’s decision must be priced”
I have no advice to give Kylian Mbappé but I think his decision must be made. Seeing such an audience, even if it was a little off until Benzema equalized, must be heart warming. This stadium is legendary. This team with Benzema – Vinicius in front is very strong. See Modric, at 36, review the entire PSG team to give Benzema a goal, it must also mark the spirits… On Wednesday, Real Madrid ridiculed PSG. Congratulations to Karim Benzema, author of a triple, and who had worked well on his match. Real had perfectly targeted the shortcomings of Paris by noting that this team lacked revolt when it doubted. He pressed on it with the opportunism of the great player.
“Winning at the Dragon Stadium is not insignificant”
The good news this Wednesday for France football is the great victory of OL on the lawn of Porto (1-0), 51 years after the victory of FC Nantes on the spot. This club is really something extra when it comes to rubbing shoulders with European games. Back in the league race, OL are using Europe as a driving force. Winning at the Dragon Stadium is not insignificant.
One of OL’s chances is to have Paqueta. The Brazilian, who for me is one of the very best players in Ligue 1, was decisive again yesterday. Collectively, you had to be solid and determined to bring something back from Porto. Lyons in the summer. This success is far from undeserved with, for once, a favorable VAR. We will not complain. French clubs, including OL, have been hurt enough in the European Cup – everyone still remembers the penalty on Nilmar – not to be choosy when it smiles. The three interventions are strict applications of the regulations. We are going to do like all the clubs in other European countries: we are not going to ask ourselves any questions.
By winning 1-0 in Porto, OL took the lead before the return match next Thursday at Groupama Stadium. It’s a nice advantage even if the rule of but outside no longer counts. Lyon have been criticized enough this season – sometimes rightly so – but remain one of France’s safe teams when it comes to shining on the European stage. »
The Europe chronicle of Denis Balbir
Every day after the European Cup, Denis Balbir looks back on the performance of French clubs in the competition. Back to the elimination of PSG in Madrid and the great victory of OL in Porto. Join us tomorrow to debrief the performances of OM, AS Monaco and Stade Rennais.