Valencia scored a goal, but never really looked like turning around the deficit they incurred at the Mestalla, as Paris Saint-Germain held on to make the Champions League quarterfinals.
PSG advance to quarters after 1-1 draw
Dean MouhtaropoulosCarlo Ancelotti’s response was to deploy Kevin Gameiro for Thiago Motta, adding an actual striker to the fray. It worked. Within eight minutes of taking the field, Gameiro’s hard work led to a PSG equaliser. It was a hugely lucky one, but it wouldn’t have happened without the substitute trying to dribble his way through three white shirts on the edge of Vicente Guaita’s box. Eventually, the ball broke to Lavezzi who saw his first shot stopped but finished off the rebound with his thigh.
And then things went back to boring. Yeah, Los Che pressed the attack a little bit more, but they never looked anything like forcing their hosts into extra time. And so PSG and a whole lot of oil money advance to the quarterfinals. Hopefully they’ll be more interesting when Ibrahimovic gets back.
Read Article >PSG vs. Valencia: Lineups
Valencia starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicente Guaita; Aly Cissokho, Antonio Barragán, Victor Ruiz, Jérémy Mathieu; Daniel Parejo, Tino Costa; David Albelda, Sofiane Feghouli, Jonas; Roberto Soldado.
Read Article >PSG look to get past Valencia without Ibrahimovic
David RamosValencia, meanwhile, have a slim hope but will need to score at least two goals to see them through. They will need to make the most of Roberto Soldado, who has been enduring a goal drought in European competition stretching back to November, but could be key to scoring the goals they require. Although with the visitors being forced to field a makeshift defence, they may end up requiring more than a pair of goals to see them through.
Paris Saint-Germain injuries and suspensions
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