World Champion Julian Draxler and his Paris Saint Germain teammates shocked Barcelona on Tuesday evening, thumping the Catalans 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash. Goals from the aforementioned former Wolfburg attacker Draxler (40’), Argentine Angel Di Maria (18’, 55’) and striker Edinson Cavani provided the win, which may have all but sealed the Parisians’ passage into the next round.
With Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen between the sticks, Barcelona currently have their backs against the wall and risk not making the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2007/08 season. Their loss in Paris was their heaviest for 1393 days in the Champions League, as Barca lost their semi-final clash with FC Bayern by the same scoreline in 2013.
PSG start meaningfully
In front of 46,484 spectators at the Parc des Princes, the hosts took the game to Luis Enrique’s men. The world’s best front three in Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar didn’t provide much going forwards, while their defence also looked open. Despite conceding four, Ter Stegen performed well in the first half, avoiding an early set back with a strong save on Blause Matuidi (12’), and then denying his DFB Team colleague Draxler in the 35th minute.
By this time however, it was already 1-0 to PSG, as Di Maria left ter Stegen helpless from free kick in the 18th minute after Draxler was fouled on the edge of the box. It was then Draxler who converted a well-struck effort from an angle to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute. The Germany ‘keeper was again helpless for both of the hosts’ goals in the second period, as Di Maria netted his second with a curled shot from outside the area and Cavani got his seventh in as many matches.
Barclona toothless going forwards
Ter Stegen’s opposite number, Kevin Trapp, who was preferred by coach Unai Emery in this game despite having to watch from the sidelines during the group stages, experienced a quite night, despite facing an array of attacking talent. The only time the goalkeeper was called into action was in the 28th minute, as the former Frankfurt man had to close down an Andre Gomez shot.
After the break, the 24-times Champions of Spain also looked off the boil. They improved a little, but the solid PSG defence didn’t allow Messi and Co. much room, while Cavani and Co. took their chances.
The Ligue 1 outfit remained dangerous on the break, none more so than the pacy duo of Di Maria and Draxler. The young German has now scored in all of his PSG debuts in the league, cup and Champions League.