Just three weeks after securing their stunning 3–0 win away at Chelsea, it was more English opposition for Paris Saint-Germain as they returned to Champions League action for the first leg of the quarter-finals. Les Rouge et Bleu entertained a Liverpool side that had knocked out Galatasaray in the last-16, after finishing in the top three in the league stage. It was set to be another massive clash over two legs and Luis Enrique's side took the upper hand from the outset.
Playing high up the pitch, Les Parisiens patiently waited for the perfect moment to strike, and that moment arrived courtesy of Désiré Doué. Playing wide on the left, the France international cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a shot that deflected off Ryan Gravenberch and looped over Giorgi Mamardashvili in the Reds' goal (1-0, 11')! The visitors looked to respond with set-pieces, but Matvey Safonov was on hand to save (14'). Paris continued to look the more dangerous, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia taking a first-time shot that forced his compatriot Mamardashvili into another save (32').
Liverpool's Georgian goalkeeper was on hand again a few minutes later, denying Doué a second goal following superb lead-up play from Nuno Mendes (37'). Les Rouge et Bleu headed into the break with a one-goal lead - having not conceded a single shot on target from the opposition.
The second half began in much the same vein. Paris went in search of a second goal, and Ousmane Dembélé was the next to be denied after another fine run by Nuno Mendes down the left (53'). Sheer determination and patience finally paid off when Luis Enrique’s men found the net for a second time: perfectly set up by João Neves, Kvaratskhelia toyed with the opposition defence before applying a delightfully simple finish (2-0, 65')!
Wave after wave of attack crashed against the English side's defence, and they narrowly escaped with a VAR penalty overule after a challenge from Ibrahima Konaté on Warren Zaïre-Emery (70'). The chances were coming thick and fast for Les Rouge et Bleu, but Achraf Hakimi was denied by Mamardashvili (82') and Dembélé saw his shot hit the post (87'). In the dying moments of the match, Ibrahima Konaté was once again spared by the referee for another clear penalty shout after yet another Nuno Mendes raid (90+2').
It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Paris Saint-Germain after a one-sided match. Les Rouge et Bleu now take a 2-0 lead to Anfield next Tuesday for the return leg, with a place in the semi-finals at stake!
