PSG fails to defeat the 'dark side', making this week a challenge for Parisian fans

The only odd thing about this week for a PSG fan was watching their favorite team play European football in April, something that hadn't happened in two years.

Apart from that, being in a crucial match, leading, playing well, and then suddenly, individual errors and details cost you the victory. We can say that was quite ordinary for Parisian fans. We're used to it.

PSG lost 2-3 at the Parc des Princes against FC Barcelona in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. On this occasion, Luis Enrique surprised by not starting Warren Zaire-Emery and instead opting for Kang-In Lee, as well as deploying Marco Asensio as a kind of false 9.

After the first 45 minutes, when the Parisian team was trailing 1-0, Luis Enrique quickly corrected by substituting Marco Asensio for Bradley Barcola, an impact that was immediately noticeable.

But still not enough, as Barcola would have a one-on-one opportunity with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen that he wouldn't capitalize on. If Barcola had scored that goal, I have no doubt, the game would have been over.

I don't want to delve too much into tactical or statistical matters in this article. You know, the match's 'momentum' graphic tells us everything.

What's everything? FC Barcelona was no joke. They played up to the occasion and capitalized on their chances. On the other hand, PSG played like PSG usually does in these instances... Well, even better than the opponent! and then poorly, and worse.

PSG no longer has the same squad as it did a year or two ago. The squad or the psychological aspect can't always be the excuse or the reason, can it?

I mean, I get that when you arrive in Paris, you quickly understand the pressure you'll be under, and some handle it well, some not so much.

It could also be just the fact that the Champions League is a tournament of moments, not of each team's level or form. That is, these lapses PSG experienced at times against Barca, we've already seen them in Ligue 1.

But of course, L1 is a league. Very different from what the UCL represents in knockout stages.

PSG fails to defeat the 'dark side', making this week a challenge for Parisian fans

That said, my conclusion is that PSG lost a game. That's it. The difference is that unfortunately for us, they lost a very important game. The tie isn't decided yet, but it is what it is. A crucial defeat, at home.

There's a player who, in my opinion, doesn't escape harsh criticism. In this case, everyone is to blame. The coach's tactics, the low level of some players, their decision-making, etc.

Yes, Kylian Mbappe is to blame, and Marco Asensio or Lucas Hernandez are to blame. But... why on earth does Gianluigi Donnarumma continue to falter in high-caliber matches?

For every player deserving criticism in this game, we can recall at least one great performance in some crucial match. But with Donnarumma, with PSG, no, can we?

The Italian is a great goalkeeper, overall. And just like PSG itself, he performs well in a league. But what if he doesn't perform well in a tournament of moments like the Champions League? This isn't an analysis, but genuine doubts that Gianluigi raises for me.

Just as the club made the tough decision to part ways with key figures like Marco Verratti or Neymar, it wouldn't be crazy to start considering Donnarumma's departure in my opinion. And it weighs heavily on me to say that. The goalkeeper is there to give you confidence, not the opposite.

Anyway, I don't want my conclusion to revolve around Donnarumma, but I did feel it was important to mention.

Oh, by the way. I couldn't finish this without considering the article's title, without mentioning that the most remarkable aspect of the match, aside from Vitinha's performance, was the 'tifo' from the Ultras. Wonderful.

What a week it's been, Parisians. And there's no football this weekend. See you on Tuesday... Allez!