The Parisians conceded a second defeat in the Champions League this season, after quickly opening the score (1-2). They lose the head of their group.
“This is Milan.” By hijacking the PSG slogan, the Milanese supporters announced the color before the kick-off of this Milan AC-PSG, Tuesday November 7, in the legendary San Siro. A message quickly relayed by Olivier Giroud’s teammates, much more restless and dangerous than on the first leg at the Parc des Princes (3-0 for Paris), and winners of this return leg after having foiled PSG (2- 1).
In the first leg, Paris had outclassed Milan in all areas. But the Rossoneri, good students, revised their copy for this return match, and learned the lessons of their rout at the Parc des Princes. Their plan: wait for PSG wisely, in their camp, before springing on the counter at the slightest loss of the Parisian ball. Which worked perfectly, and allowed Rafael Leao (12e) and Olivier Giroud (50e) to respond to Milan Skriniar’s opener (9e).
Mbappé, Kolo Muani: Ghostbusters
For the second time this season, in as many away matches, PSG lost in the Champions League, and lost first place in their group, after a thunderous start to the match. Less scathing than the slap received in Newcastle, this Milan setback nevertheless has something to worry about the Parisians who are far too amorphous, like their second period close to nothing, symbolized by the insignificant performances of Kylian Mbappé and Randal Kolo Muani.
By positioning themselves low, close to their goal, AC Milan eliminated the spaces on which the two Parisian arrows feed. On his right wing, Ousmane Dembélé tried to create some, but his friend Achraf Hakimi was, for once, more busy defending than attacking. The early opening score of Milan Skriniar, an opportunist at the far post from a corner, after a deflection from Marquinhos, should have simplified the task of the Parisians (1-0, 9e). But the French champions stumbled upon a bone.
Because in addition to its defensive solidity, AC Milan demonstrated offensive accuracy, rarely making a mistake in its bursts, like Rafael Leao author of the equalizer on a ball released by Donnarumma (1-1 , 12e). Jostled by the intensity – and not helped by harsh refereeing against them – PSG was unable to find a response to Milan’s tactical plan. Without a great Gianluigi Donnarumma, heckled by his former audience but the only Parisian at the level, the bill could even have been much higher. However, the Italian was unable to do anything on a superb header from Giroud, while the Parisian defense was at a standstill (2-1, 50e).
Now second in its group before receiving Newcastle then moving to Dortmund, PSG no longer has the right to make mistakes in this group stage, after having conceded so many defeats in its three last group stage matches in the Champions League than in their last 18 outings at this level of the competition.