PSG player selected for Champions League Team of the Week
By Manuel Meza
On Wednesday evening, PSG returned to the UEFA Champions League, hosting Girona. The capital club secured a late victory, with Nuno Mendes being named in the Team of the Week.
For their opening match in this season’s Champions League, PSG welcomed Girona to the Parc des Princes. In a game they largely dominated, the Parisians were wasteful in front of goal. Untroubled by the Spanish side, the Rouge & Bleu had to wait until the dying moments to break the deadlock and claim their first European win of the season.
PSG player selected for Champions League Team of the Week
Nuno Mendes, on the left flank, received a pass from Willian Pacho, then beat his direct opponent before driving into Girona’s box. PSG’s number 25 attempted a cross-shot that deflected off a Spanish defender, and the Girona goalkeeper misjudged the ball, allowing it to slip into the net.
This goal ensured PSG started their Champions League campaign on a winning note. Thanks to his performance in this match, the Portuguese international was named in the Champions League Team of the Week, being the only PSG player included.
Another Ligue 1 representative, Kenny Lala from Stade Brestois, also made the team after his club’s historic first European victory against Strum Graz (2-1) yesterday.
Champions League Team of the Week:
- Goalkeeper: Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Defenders: Lala (Brest), Panak (Sparta Prague), Matviyenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nuno Mendes (PSG)
- Midfielders: Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tielemans (Aston Villa), Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Forwards: Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kane (Bayern Munich).
It might come as a slight surprise to see Nuno Mendes in the Team of the Week. He performed well, but wasn’t particularly outstanding, playing a more defensive and somewhat frustrating role. However, his decisive run late in the game may have left a lasting impression.
Perhaps other left-backs didn’t stand out either. In any case, the absence of more PSG players makes sense, given the team’s less-than-brilliant performance. Other displays were certainly more remarkable.