Dortmund (Germany) (AFP)

The only star is Erling Haaland: PSG, despite the presence and the goal of its superstar Neymar, lost to Dortmund (2-1) Tuesday during the 8th final of the Champions League, complicating their hypothesis back in the quarterfinals.

For a Parisian team accustomed to enjoying a serious advantage twice in the space of three years, this is a new challenge ahead. With a goal written outside for only hope.

If next March 11 at the Parc des Princes, the hypothesis of a "comeback" Manchester United way is already ruled out, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé will have to display a level at least equivalent to that of Haaland, author of an incredible double (69th, 77th), to turn the tide.

Dominated in large widths by Borussia, the Parisians thought they had a miraculous draw after the equalization of Neymar (75th). But the 19-year-old Norwegian nugget, recruited this winter by the BVB, ended up sanctioning the fledgling group of Parisians, surprising gaps at this level.

For his return to Dortmund, where he lived a shady marriage between 2015 and 2017, the Parisian coach Thomas Tuchel tried a crazy bet: abandon his system in 4-4-2, however in place for two months, in favor of a 3-4-3 hybrid and experimental with Neymar at the heart of the game. Fatal error!

Determined to impose himself as the talisman that has been missing at PSG for the past two seasons to ward off the curse of the eighths, "Ney", aligned in an attacking trident with Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappé, has nevertheless taken things in hand from the outset.

- Neymar, frustrating return -

After having provoked, and obtained, an excellent free kick at the entrance of the opposing area, the Brazilian saw his attempt passed close to the goals of Bürki (10th). The first spark of the Parisian N. 10 ... quickly extinguished however by the yellow and black embrace.

The object of all attention, his team, the media, supporters and opponents, of course, "Ney" had trouble getting rid of a marking as tight as it was aggressive. But for his comeback at this stage of the competition, missed last year due to a serious injury to the right foot, his blatant lack of rhythm hampered most of his initiatives.

Result, in this match where the fury of the "Yellow Wall" and the 66,000 supporters of the BVB did not stop pushing their team after ensuring the show before kick-off with three impressive tifos, the Parisians had all the trouble of the world to control the opposing waves.

Paris has suffered for a long time without breaking up. Unable to pack the game, Mbappé's teammates ended up slowing the pace to return to the locker room with the score 0-0.

- Haaland, magic double -

In the second half, Tuchel did not change anything in its strategy and the same scenario was repeated over and over.

If Hakimi (48th) then Sancho (49th), skillfully rushed into the six meters from Paris, had better adjusted their center, the score. Not to mention the error of Kimpembe who almost benefited Haaland (50th)!

The first shot on target of the evening for Paris came at ... the 65th minute. The work of Mbappé on a closed shot without danger Bürki, but who has the gift of awakening the duo which he forms with Neymar, at the origin of his second much sharper attempt (66th).

Intermediate before the sanction on a trivial action: on the lookout for a blocked ball, Haaland, who lapped in the area, cheated Navas with a mad tackle to open the score (1-0, 69th).

Neymar, on a service from Mbappé, thought he had scored the tying goal (1-1, 74th) in stride. It was without counting the genius of the prodigy Haaland. The Norwegian nugget launched a missile from nowhere to give the advantage to his team (2-1, 77th).

In this magical duel, "Ney" almost answered but his last stand on a desperate shot ended on the opponent's post (82nd). See you in three weeks for revenge.

© 2020 AFP