PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 1-2 Atlético Madrid: Dominant hosts undone by last-minute winner

Given they were on the verge of dropping out of the play-off spots at kick-off, Paris Saint-Germain were well aware that tonight’s clash against Atlético Madrid was a must-win encounter. The Colchoneros were in a similarly precarious position, having notably fallen to defeat at home against an impressive Lille side.

The hosts largely dominated the opening 15 minutes, a spell which culminated in Warren Zaïre-Emery’s opener – a deft, chipped finish coming after Ousmane Dembélé stole the ball from Clément Lenglet on the edge of the box. PSG’s lead would only last a matter of minutes, though, as Nahuel Molina fired an equaliser on the half-volley past Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Italian had parried Giuliano Simeone’s initial effot.

The second half followed a largely similar pattern – several opportunities notably fell to Achraf Hakimi, who squandered chances from inside and outside the box despite venturing into some promising positions. The Moroccan was notably played though on goal down the right wing, before choosing to shoot from a tight angle instead of squaring in for the substitute Fabián Ruiz.

Luis Enrique’s false nine set-up, though, failed to bring about any opportunities for the hosts to convert their dominance – even with a change in personnel as Asensio was brought off for Kang-in Lee. The late introduction of Randal Kolo Muani could have spearheaded a late charge, but was ultimately not exploited to its full potential by the hosts, as Hakimi remained the most potent outlet in the final third.

It was precisely the Moroccan who came close to providing a stoppage-time winner – this time, though, he looked to find Nuno Mendes for an open-goal finish, to no avail. The ensuing counter-attack would lead to the Colchoneros‘ winner, stemming from a long throw by Jan Oblak to Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman would Ángel Corrrea on the opposite wing, with the Argentine beating Vitinha before firing the winner past Pacho and Donnarumma.

With a trip to Munich and a reception of Manchester City still to come, an early exit from the Champions League now appears to be an increasingly credible scenario for Luis Enrique’s men – not least given they have now dropped out of the play-off spots entirely. The Asturian coach will hope that Gonçalo Ramos’ return from injury at the end of the month will allow him to put an end to the ill-fated false nine experiment – although, right now, PSG’s lack of incisive edge is an issue that runs across the team.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 3 – The Italian was called into action twice across the match, and was beaten on both occasions.

Achraf Hakimi, 6

Marquinhos, 5

Willian Pacho, 6 – The Ecuadorian has arguably been the signing of the season so far in France, and turned in another impressive display on the continental stage. He was ultimately too easily beaten on Correa’s goal, but was otherwise key to holding off the earlier counter-attacks from Diego Simeone’s men.

Nuno Mendes, 5

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6 – A welcome return to form after a middling start to the campaign for the teenager. 

Vitinha, 4

João Neves, 5

Ousmane Dembélé, 5

Marco Asensio, 3 – Another uninspiring shift as the false nine for the Spaniard, whose scarce involvement on the frontline produced few results. Admittedly, a centre-forward by trade would have been the ideal profile to convert PSG’s dominance around the box tonight – but the attacking midfielder was particularly absent against his former cross-town rivals tonight. Replaced by Kang-in Lee in the second half.

Bradley Barcola, 4 – Paris Saint-Germain’s best player this season was mostly ineffective tonight, save for some promising breaks down the left wing – although the lack of options in the box meant he was unable to capitalise on them.

Atlético de Madrid selected player ratings

Jan Oblak, 8 – The Slovenian turned in a match-winning display, with eight saves and a long throw which was the catalyst for the last-minute winner for the Spaniards.

Clément Lenglet, 4

Nahuel Molina, 6

Antoine Griezmann, 5 – As expected, the Colchoneros were set up in an overtly defensive formation which limited the scope of their attacks. In what was likely to be one of his final matches in France, the ex-French international nevertheless made the most of the few balls that came his way – notably providing the assist for the stoppage-time winner.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin  – reporting from the Parc des Princes