He Paris Saint Germain achieved a last-gasp victory against Girona of Spain, 1-0, in the Champions League.
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Girona lost 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain with a last-minute goal from Nuno Mendes, this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in the debut of the modest Spanish team in the Champions League.
After withstanding a flood of chances, Girona conceded with a desperate shot, almost without an angle, from Nuno Mendes (minute 90) that went in under the legs of Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
At last, the modest Spanish team had heard the famous anthem. It started its first participation in European competition in 94 years of history in style, captained by a symbol of the club like Cristhian Stuani.
The Uruguayan striker, a survivor of the last second division campaign (2019-2022), became the second oldest Champions League debutant at 37 years and 342 days, behind Anastasios Mitropoulos, who made his debut with Olympiakos in 1997 at 40 years and 109 days. With a team made up of scraps, including star prospect Donny Van De Beek, an Oriol Romeu returning to Girona on loan from Barcelona and aimless winger Bryan Gil, he put up a remarkable fight against a PSG side with clear ideas but lacking the brilliance of other nights.
The fire of its ultras was missing, with the Parc des Princes empty due to suspension following incidents involving flares and other pyrotechnic devices in the semi-final of last year’s match, lost against Borussia Dortmund. In this new conquest of the great trophy that is missing from its showcases, now without Kylian Mbappé as captain of the ship, Luis Enrique’s team started well, with Warren Zaïre-Emery hampering a good pass from Ousmane Dembele (11) without aim and Marco Asensio crossing too much after a backheel from Zaïre-Emery himself (13).
Asensio, PSG’s number nine this season, was again plagued by injuries, having been taken off before the break with a problem with his right thigh. He was replaced by Randal Kolo Muani (39). Meanwhile, Girona held on without much trouble, although their offensive output was nil, finishing the first half without a single shot on goal.
It was Stuani who had to open the scoring for the visitors, of course with a header, but another newcomer, the Russian Matvey Safonov, reacted with reflexes in his first minutes with PSG after being signed this season to compete with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was injured on Wednesday. Suddenly the match was in full swing.
Girona had gone so high that a steal left Dembélé alone with the ball at his feet from the midfield line but he hesitated when shooting and allowed Ladislav Krejci’s miraculous recovery (55). The French international, who has set himself the goal of improving his efficiency this season, then had two more shots, controlled by Gazzaniga (56 and 62).
After the hour mark, Luis Enrique shook up his squad with a triple substitution, including the departure of Bradley Barcola, who has been performing well this season but was transparent on Wednesday. After a miracle from Gazzaniga against Hakimi, Girona seemed to be starting their European adventure with a tasty draw in the City of Light… until the ball went under the legs of the Argentine goalkeeper.
SPORTS WITH AFP
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