Lisbon (AFP)
An express "remount" as a birthday present and the hope of a historic European coronation in three matches, still alive: PSG, 2-1 snatch winner of Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday in Lisbon, s' is qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League on his fiftieth birthday.
On the brink of the abyss since the opening of the scoring by Mario Pasalic (27th) and yet another European disillusion, the Parisian start came from a vice-captain who did not give up until the "95th minute" and an always exemplary replacement: Marquinhos (90th) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saved the feast of 50 years, as well as the title hopes in the most prestigious of European competitions.
Absent from the last four of the C1 since 1995, Paris did not miss a golden opportunity to repeat the best course in its history when blowing out its 50th candle.
Considered the best possible draw before the match, Bergamo almost revealed the shortcomings of the Thomas Tuchel era since his arrival on the bench in 2018. Thanks to the iron mind of his players, the Petit Poucet of the competition is one of them. became the symbol of its success, namely to take the PSG to the next level.
However, the PSG has long been unable, as much by clumsiness as by lack of rhythm, to get rid of the Lombard club while Neymar has tried everything: the special "mohican" cup big event, the gris-gris of great evenings, the acceleration of major matches ... Without success!
- Neymar, cursed hero -
After breaking the curse of injuries, the curse of the eighths, and waiting five months after the incredible paralysis of competitions caused by the coronavirus, everything was in place for the Brazilian N.10 to shine 50 years to the day after the founding official PSG, August 12, 1970.
But after his huge missed opportunity at the start of the match, all the Parisian clan in the stands took the lead with both hands, incredulous. As if the turning point of the match had already taken place in the 3rd minute of play.
After initiating the action himself by relying on Icardi with a subtle deflection, "Ney" opened his way to the goal on his own by perforating the defense with a full-axis supersonic run. But once alone against the goalkeeper, he opened his foot too much while the goal seemed certain ...
Aligned in an offensive trident where he often appeared as a false N.9, the Brazilian was at the heart of all the offensives. But unable to be decisive in the zone of truth, as on this one-two perfectly played on the left side that he was unable to achieve once again after a long race (19th).
Concentrated and applied, Atalanta has also relied on the paw of his N.10, "Papu" Gomez, to make a difference. On his center in the back of the defense, the right piston Hateboer saw his dangerous head being pushed back in extremis by Keylor Navas, very vigilant (11th).
But on a billiards stroke, Bergamo ended up opening the scoring. In the snatch, Duvan Zapata managed to counter a ball poorly cleared by Kimpembe near the surface. Mario Pasalic, alone and on the lookout, did not miss the opportunity to deceive Navas with an unstoppable wound from the left (1-0, 27th).
- Mbappé, winning entry -
Once again Neymar could have brought his team back in stride. But his new fantastic ride, where he reviewed Pasalic from a small bridge, was concluded with a powerful shot ... just off (28th). Infuriating!
And when a huge gift was offered to him, with a bad pass back from a Bergamasque defender to the keeper, Neymar, still lonely and perfectly positioned, did not take advantage (42nd).
Despite the sound and raucous encouragement of Keylor Navas, perceptible on the other side of the field, the Parisians let themselves be lulled by the false rhythm of the Italians, who multiplied the faults.
The hour of play precipitated the entry into play of Mbappé. Directly placed on the left wing, his pep brought dynamism and scoring opportunities like this raid that he could not conclude (74th, 80th).
Navas' injury was however the detonator of a completely crazy scenario: first with the equalizing goal of Marquinhos on a center-shot from Neymar (1-1, 90th), then on the perfect pass from Mbappé to Choupo- Moting (2-1, 90 + 3), just after coming into play. Two already legendary goals.
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