UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID 3 PARIS ST GERMAIN 1

UEFA Champions League tonight with the 1º leg between REAL MADRID & PARIS ST GERMAIN ending 3 -1 result in favour for the current European Champions. The game was very even & being dominated by PSG in the 2º half, & the 1-1 draw at that moment looked like it would move PSG way. But a double change by Real Madrid Coach Zidane, putting in Asensio (for Isco) & Lucas Vazquez (for Casemiro) revolutionized the encounter with Real Madrid scoring two goals in 5 minutes. It was a "knock-out" blow thanks to young Marco Asensio who run riot down the left flank.

The overall tie is far from over, Real Madrid has to travel to Paris in two weeks, but they take with them a 2 goal advantage & an important psychological victory that gives them a definite advantage & brings back "old ghosts" to PSG & their Coach Emery.  


Real Madrid - PSG

The match was exciting & a true European Champions match of intense entertainment between two very good squads. Real Madrid started strong & was suffering from their main "weakness" all this season, lack of GOAL. They had chances but did not convert; Ronaldo missing a clear opportunity after the ball was stopped by the face of the PSG goalkeeper.

PSG was dangerous with Neymar being very active & dangerous,  & midfielder RABIOT doing damage to the point that he opened the scoring for PSG in the 33rd min. 


Real Madrid - PSG

Real Madrid managed to react in time with a dubious penalty after Kroos was "pulled back" in the goal square by a PSG defender. CRISTIANO RONALDO scored the penalty in the 45th min to equalize & continue his "love affair" with this tournament. 

Real Madrid - PSG

The 2º nd half was dominated by Paris St Germain, they created numerous opportunities & made Real Madrid goalie Navas work hard. The Spanish team was on the back foot & it looked that PSG would break through at any moment. Real Madrid Coach Zidane made some moves, Bale (for Benzema) & later brought on Lucas Vazquez & Asensio. The idea was to bring on fresh legs & attack the Dani Alves flank. Taking off Casemiro seemed risky but the gamble paid off for Zidane as Asensio literally turned the match around himself in 5 mins. From his participation & passes came the second CRISTIANO RONALDO goal in the 82nd min & then the "knock-out" goal from MARCELO in the 85th min. By the way, the Brazilian was magnificent tonight.

PSG did not know ( & still does not know) what happened. This will be deeply analyzed back in Paris by the team & the local media which will be "savage" with Coach Emery. The 450M€ plus season investment is at risk & the pressure is extreme for the return match. The end result is a fantastic night & result for REAL MADRID.


To finish some extra observations. Firstly,  Karim Benzema is basically sentenced & has little arguments for continuing next season. His start from the kick off gave nothing to the team & it was like Madrid was playing with 10 men. Secondly, Isco should have never started in the initial team, Asensio should have as later proved. Isco is a good player but his obsessive tendency to dribble "to death" the plays & himself, slows down the team. As soon as Asensio took his place, Real Madrid was quicker, more vertical & two golden goals appeared. 

Lastly, Paris St Germain is a very good team & will be dangerous. They were unlucky tonight as their chances just did not go in & they were "fizzed" in the end by fresher legs & minds. This tie isn't  over for PSG at all, Real Madrid will need to be very awake & at their best level for the return leg, but PSG fly back to Paris with some "old ghosts". They were defeated by the current European Champions tonight 3 - 1. 

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