the four outstanding disappointments of PSG under the Qatari era

We thought their old demons were dismissed after a forceps qualification for the quarterfinals against Dortmund in 2020, which later led to a final in a somewhat special edition. The fine course last year which had led the players of the capital in the semi-finals had confirmed this impression. But these demons resurfaced on Wednesday March 9 at the Santiago-Bernabeu in Madrid. Back on the striking eliminations of PSG in the Champions League.

1The first against Chelsea in 2014

After a resounding 3-1 first leg victory at the Parc des Princes in the quarter-finals against the Blues, the Parisians travel to Stamford Bridge with, in mind, a qualification for the first semi-final in the Champions League since 1995. But things don’t go as planned. André Schürrle opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and put pressure on PSG. The Parisians will hold out until the 87th minute before seeing their nets shake after a goal from Demba Ba. Paris is ousted because of the goal conceded at the Park. A first elimination on the gong under the QSI era. They will nevertheless take revenge the following year by leaving Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on a goal from Thiago Silva in the 113th minute.

2 The “rise” against Barcelona in 2017

It is the most striking, the one that is recalled every year and which even popularized the word “remontada” in France. After a 4-0 victory in the first leg, the Parisians collapsed 6-1 in the second leg, especially at the end of the match, conceding three goals after the 88th. An elimination that made headlines around the world and created a real trauma in the Parisian locker room.

3The humiliation against Manchester United in 2019

Two years later, in the round of 16, PSG easily beat Manchester United 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford. For the return match, the Red Devils are deprived of ten players, including Paul Pogba, suspended, or even Alexis Sanchez and Nemanja Matic, injured. However, as in Barcelona, ​​the Parisians conceded an entry goal. But they react by equalizing, before Gianluigi Buffon makes a big mistake which revives the Mancunians. A penalty in stoppage time will send Manchester into the quarter-finals and Paris home.

4Misunderstanding against Real Madrid in 2022

While the curse was thought to be over after the 2020 final and last year’s semi-final, the Parisians once again scuttled themselves in the Champions League. Victory in the first leg in the pocket (1-0), the PSG players controlled the match thanks to the opener of Kylian Mbappé. But Paris revived Real Madrid on the hour mark on a gross error by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Reinvigorated by this new hope, and faced with an apathetic defense, the people of Madrid accelerated, carried by the class of their captain Karim Benzema with two other goals scored in quick succession (76th and 78th). A reversal of the situation in half an hour which sweeps away the good performances of the last two seasons.