PSG qualified for the round of 16 despite their draw in Dortmund

Unrealistic in Germany, on Wednesday, the capital club owes its qualification to AC Milan’s victory in Newcastle.

This is what we call getting out of it at the last minute. Unable to get the better of Borussia Dortmund (1-1), whom it had to beat to be sure of continuing its adventure in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will still see the round of 16. Luis Enrique’s team was saved by the victory, at the same time, of AC Milan over Newcastle (2-1). They finished second in their group, tied on points with the Italian club (8 points) and passed them in the confrontation game (4-2 in favor of PSG – 3-0 then 1-2).

The Parisians’ evening had, however, taken the path of a new great European disillusionment. In the first half, the huge chances multiplied. In the lead, a miraculous save from Niklas Süle on his line while Kylian Mbappé had eliminated the opposing goalkeeper (17th). But also two lost face-offs from Randal Kolo Muani (23rd, 45th) and a post from Bradley Barcola (20th).

Heavy in the next round

By dint of missing the boat, Paris bit its fingers when Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring for Borussia shortly after returning from the locker room (52nd). Already virtually eliminated since the 35th minute, when Newcastle led 1-0 against Milan, the capital club then had to score twice to escape (or hope that the Rossoneri reverse the trend in England).

As if stung, the Parisians very quickly equalized thanks to Warren Zaire-Emery, him again. Happy to receive a deflected cross from Kylian Mbappé, the 17-year-old midfielder took the time to control and then unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area which deceived the vigilance of Gregor Kobel (56th). Enough to end a series of 54 shots (excluding penalties) without scoring in the Champions League for a club from the capital that was particularly clumsy in its last three group stage matches.

Paris continued to push but failed to take the lead. Virtually eliminated for 35 minutes, Kylian Mbappé and his teammates saw their future become clearer when Christian Pulisic equalized for AC Milan at Newcastle (59th). Only a goal from the Magpies would then have ended PSG’s C1 campaign and would have returned it to the Europa League. But it was the Italian club which struck again thanks to Samuel Chukwueze (84th).

Paris Saint-Germain will compete in the round of 16 of the Champions League for the 12th consecutive year and will discover the identity of their opponent on Monday, at noon, during the draw. It will be opposed to one of these first groups between Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, FC Barcelona.