PSG and Borussia emerged victorious in the group.
The routine and predictable victories of Leipzig, Barcelona, Manchester City, the attention-grabbing problems of Lazio and Atlético – all this happened on the last day of the Champions League. But, of course, the main attention of football fans was focused on the showdown in Group F, which after the draw was nicknamed the “group of death”. And for good reason. Composition of PSG Luis Enrique, who takes the vital energy of Milan from somewhere, wisely manages the wealth of Newcastle and the always stubborn and harmful Borussia Dortmund, promises to fight until the end of the group stage. It looks like that will be the case.
“Restoring” Milan.
In the last round of the Champions League, perhaps, it was the main disappointment PSG. Luis Enrique’s team not only lost heavily to Newcastle, but did so with a disgusting performance. Defeats happen in different ways. That defeat against the Magpies was terrible. Rehabilitation was necessary. In Ligue 1 we managed to score three goals against our opponents twice in a row and demonstrate our superiority (although in the French league table PSG still third), but Milan was waiting ahead, the second team in Serie A, among other things.
And the game begins PSG it didn’t work well. Yes, the French had more ball possession and shot more often. (By the way, regarding the conventions of terms like “French” in the era of globalization: nine Frenchmen took the field at the beginning, but only five of them represented PSG, the rest is Milan). At a certain point in the first half, however, the Rossoneri seemed to become bolder and began to press. It turned out that this PSG I just played to lure my opponent. So it will work optimally all the way.
And the account was opened thanks to the captains of the youth and adult teams of France. A separate digression must be made here. Zaire-Emery already plays in midfield at his young age PSG a role no less important than that which Verratti had in his period of maximum splendor. The youngster has brilliant passing, dribbling, understanding of the game and doesn’t fall over. He just doesn’t fall. At a time when all progressive football is based on and profiting from a timely fall, the young man refuses to collapse on the turf. In the episode with Mbappe’s goal, Zaire-Emery dragged the ball from the center of the pitch into the penalty area to give an assist. All the way they openly grabbed him, pushed him, beat him and hung him, but he didn’t even think about rolling on the grass. For this he was rewarded with a team goal and his own assist. And there have been many similar episodes in the young midfielder’s actions.
But let’s get back to the game. Mbappe’s goal, taking into account Milan’s previous flashes of play, could be the basis for the worsening of the match. But he became the first nail in the coffin of our conditioned Italians. They looked defeated at the end of the first half and remained the same throughout the second half. And Luis Enrique seemed to scold the Parisians: they jumped out of the locker room as if burned, immediately created scoring opportunities, scored a goal disallowed due to a foul in the development of the attack, and then still set up a legal goal.
All of Milan’s activity was due to the individual actions of Leau, who tried to mirror Mbappe and looked very fake in his position, as well as the defenders’ attempts to get just one yellow card without receiving a second. The rest of the Milanese dissolved into a gray mass. Well, Maignan can also be cited for his reaction. Even if in case of a goal he mainly had to make an appearance, his shots were too good. If it were not for this French champion and main goalkeeper of the French national team in goal for the Italian team, they would have lost more.
In general, there were a lot of entanglements. Take, for example, the unique situation where brothers Theo and Lucas Hernandez were in the starting lineup. Against each other. First. Unfortunately they play in the same position on the defensive flanks, so they almost never met on the pitch. Or, for example, the appearance of Donnarumma against Milan, who raised him from a young age, the appearance of Maignan himself against PSG, from which he won the Ligue 1 championship with Lille. Yes, Adli also came in as a substitute for Milan. It turns out he’s played a full seven minutes in his career. PSG once upon a time.
But we digress. Let’s get back to the game. In it Milan lost in all respects in the second half PSG and they still got off easy. The Parisians can be happy that Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-in scored. These are precisely the guys who should integrate better into the team. In general, from the game PSG you have the impression that the team has finally formed, that Luis Enrique and the boys understand the scheme, they understand the idea, the tactics, they understand each other. The interaction in the offensive line, even taking into account replacement players, the interaction in the middle line is becoming more intelligent and automated. This yes PSG the potential exists and the vector of development is clear.
And Milan? He is trying to get his first goal in this Champions League. Three rounds have already passed. And he didn’t score a single goal. At least revive Ibrahimovic. Leau’s efforts look a little detached, Pulisic plays as if his goal wasn’t a goal at all, but a pass, and Giroud simply doesn’t have enough density of chances to convert any of them.
Parallel course
Destruction PSG Newcastle made the Magpies almost group favorites in the second round. But we must not forget that these guys are still just starting out, that they haven’t entered the Champions League for many years. And all their competitors have more or less left their mark in this tournament. PSG in general for upholstery Champions League the cones can write the word “eternity”. Also Borussia, by the way.
In the event of the defeat of the Germans, the stratification in the “death group” would have increased and would have been considered as such to a lesser extent. But in England Dortmund resisted and won. Especially thanks to the first half. Borussia played magnificently. He could score quick goals more than once. But Newcastle were lucky. Until, at the end of the half, the guests broke the deadlock. Nmecha completed a cross from the center of the penalty area. During the break the score in shots was 10:4 in favor of Borussia. And half of the attempts were successful.
But after the break for Borussia the suffering began. Newcastle won the second half in terms of shots with the score 8:3. However, there was only one target hit. But twice the ball hit the frame of Dortmund’s goal. And Gregor Kobel did everything in goal that deserved special praise.
It is as if the very destiny of football has decided to play with these populist concepts such as the “group of death”, creating further intrigue. Now PSG took the lead, has six points, but Newcastle and Borussia have four points each. Two points for the unfortunate Milan, who still do not appear hopeless in terms of the tournament. Everything is still possible in this group.
