5 PSG players who underperformed against Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League Round of 16
With a slender one-goal lead to protect, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) traveled to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash on Wednesday night.
Despite going ahead in the first half, the Parisians could not protect their advantage, falling to a dramatic 3-1 defeat on the night. Courtesy of a stellar Karim Benzema hat-trick, the tie ended 3-2 (on aggregate) in favor of Real Madrid, taking Los Blancos to the quarter-finals of the European competition.
Playing at home, the Spanish giants charged out of the gates with all their might, creating some pretty decent chances in the opening five minutes. Eventually, their energy waned and PSG started finding joy down the flanks.
Kylian Mbappe, who dramatically scored a last-gasp winner in the first leg, had a go at Madrid’s goal in the 13th minute. But Los Merengues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was up to the task and denied the Frenchman.
At the half-hour mark, Lionel Messi and Neymar combined to carve open the Madrid defense. The Argentine, unfortunately, could not keep his dinked effort on target from a tight angle.
PSG’s inevitable breakthrough finally came in the 39th minute, when Neymar expertly played Mbappe through on goal with a first-time pass. The former Monaco man danced down the left-inside channel and put a thunderous drive past Courtois to double Paris’ aggregate advantage.
Unfortunately for the young France international, his compatriot in white had a masterclass planned for the second half. In the 61st minute, Benzema scored the equalizer and then doubled his tally in the 76th minute before finally completing his hat-trick a couple of minutes later.
Buoyed by his treble, Los Blancos secured an excellent 3-1 comeback win on the night, knocking Paris Saint-Germain out of Europe's premier club competition.
Here are five Paris Saint-Germain players who failed to live up to their billing in the Champions League Round of 16 return leg on Wednesday night:
#5 Danilo
While Marco Verratti did everything in his power to dominate the midfield battle with Real Madrid, Danilo was tasked with keeping Vinicius Junior quiet.
He tried his best to keep the Brazilian winger contained, but was not always successful.
celebrating 🥳 with us 
At this point Danilo Pereira has forgotten about his team 😂❤️ celebrating 🥳 with us
Hala Madrid ❤️🥳
twitter.com/i/spaces/1DXxy… https://t.co/oqQ75ARpdx
Bogged down with defensive responsibilities, Danilo could not contribute to PSG’s attacking play, failing to register a single key pass. He also committed a couple of untimely fouls, which allowed the hosts to regroup.
Danilo was ultimately subbed for Angel Di Maria in the 80th minute.
#4 Presnel Kimpembe
PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe was solid as ever in the first half but looked clueless in the second 45.
His performance got shakier with each passing minute in the second half and he was nowhere to be found during Benzema’s glorious 17-minute spell.
Heard Kimpembe is having a stinker for PSG
If only they had a world class CB to partner Marquinhos https://t.co/921Kckhc1p
He lost two duels, ceded possession eight times, and senselessly picked up a yellow card for shoving Vinicius Junior.
Kimpembe was also on the receiving end of a Luka Modric nutmeg which led to Real Madrid's second goal. A night to forget for the Frenchman.