Paris (AFP)

Precise qualification for the second round: Paris SG continued its perfect career in the Champions League by winning 1-0 against Bruges, Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, to clinch his ticket for the eighth, from the fourth day of the phase groups.

Without being as flamboyant as in the first leg, Paris has provided the essential in the first return match of this mini-championship to four teams. With a goal from the inevitable Mauro Icardi (22) and a penalty stopped by Keylor Navas (77), the first goal of the beginning of the season is already successful.

In three weeks in Madrid, PSG (1st, 12 points) will now be able to focus on confirming its leading position against Real (2nd, 7 pts), to give himself the opportunity to come across a more favorable opponent on the paper, during the draw of the 8th, December 16 next.

Meanwhile, the performance before the 47,000 spectators of the Park, "sold out" for the 60th time in a row according to the direction of the club, was far from as brilliant as in Bruges (5-0).

In the image of Kylian Mbappé, far from the level displayed during his triplet lightning of the first leg, Thomas Tuchel's players failed to erase some deficiencies brought to light in Dijon (2-1 defeat), Friday last in Ligue 1.

- Icardi, fox of surfaces -

To the point of being close to conceding the opening of the score because of overconfidence of his defense in his own area. David Okereke, often on the lookout for adverse events, was unable to take advantage (8th, 13th).

The Belgian team, determined to play without complexes in the image of his remarkable match in Santiago Bernabeu against Madrid (2-2), has not stopped putting the pressure of play.

By his flawless ball outs, and the excesses of his sharp wingers Krépin Diatta and Emmanuel Dennis, the champion of Belgium has even created the best opportunities early game.

What would have been the outcome of the match if Mats Rits had taken the perfect back center of Dennis to score in the empty goal (16th)? Saved by the clumsiness of the Belgians in the last gesture, Paris has not prayed that we never know it by scoring in the wake.

In a pure fox style surfaces, Mauro Icardi took a center Colin Dagba, slightly deflected by a Di Maria to the limit of offside, to open the score (22, 1-0). After verification of the video assistant (VAR), the goal has been validated by the referee.

- Navas, imperial in goals -

What give reason to the choice of his coach, who once again preferred the idol Edinson Cavani, to start the meeting. And this, despite the incessant lobbying of ultra Parisians, always ready to launch "Cavani, Cavani" in the bends of the Park.

In the wake of an untenable Marco Verratti in the middle, PSG maintained the pressure to make the break before the break. But the attempts of Di Maria (29th, 39th, 44th), once again the most dangerous Parisian player, did not hit the mark.

After the locker room, Bruges tried to reproduce the same start in the first period but Navas, still valuable, made a double parade of high class to maintain the advantage (50th).

Surprised by the commitment of the Belgians, Verratti was even forced to take a yellow card to prevent Dennis from spinning in the wake (55th).

Came into the 71st minute under a standing ovation, Cavani finally came in. But Navas quickly stole the show in the approach of the "money-time", when Bruges was awarded a penalty following a fault of Thiago Silva (74th).

After the confirmation of the VAR, Mbaye Diagne hit the ground, without surprising the former doorman of Real Madrid (77th). A decisive first stop in this exercise in C1 for the Costa Rican rookie, synonymous with a perfect career of PSG on the European stage.

© 2019 AFP