Paris (AFP)
The ordeal continues for the French teams in the European Cup: after Marseille on Tuesday in Porto (3-0), Rennes and especially Paris SG suffered a new defeat in the Champions League, respectively outclassed by Chelsea (3-0) and crucified by Leipzig (2-1), Wednesday for the third day.
- Group H: Paris is scuttled -
The situation is getting worse for Paris: beaten by its two main rivals (Manchester and Leipzig) in its qualifying group, PSG has burnt almost all its jokers.
And this in a very disappointing way, Wednesday in Germany, with a performance marked by unforgivable errors at this level.
Missed penalty from scorer Angel Di Maria, Presnel Kimpembe's hand in the area, red card for Idrissa Gueye then this same Kimpembe ... The copy is worrying for the vice-champion of Europe, deprived of his offensive trident Neymar-Mauro Icardi -Kylian Mbappé, injured.
Realistic for this revenge of the last semi-final of the Champions League, Leipzig was quick to win.
First thanks to the former Parisian Christopher Nkunku, without pity for his ex-club.
Then Emil Forsberg from the penalty spot.
The opportunity was however dreamed to return to height at the top of the group, after the defeat of Manchester United on the ground of Istanbul Basaksehir (2-1).
Because the Mancuniens, them too, put themselves in difficulty, with great reinforcements of defensive largesse.
But they keep their hands in the pool, three lengths ahead of Paris.
- Group E: Chelsea mercilessly for Rennes -
The mission proved difficult, it quickly turned into the impossible for Rennes in London.
Without their jewel Eduardo Camavinga, the Britons quickly died, conceding two penalties to Timo Werner and a red card to a Chelsea team happy to see the goals come to them so easily.
After a draw against Krasnodar and a defeat against Sevilla FC, Rennes are therefore dead last in Group E tied with the Russians, and will no doubt have to resolve to fight for third qualifying place for the 16th of the Europa League.
The experience of Europe, which is sorely lacking in Julien Stéphan's men, however, does not escape Seville at all.
Led and reduced to ten against Krasnodar, the Andalusians were able to turn the situation around to win (3-2) and remain tied with the English club at the head of the group (7 points).
- Group F: Haaland and Dortmund maddening -
Erling Haaland never ceases to panic statistics: the Norwegian prodigy is only twenty years old but already has ... 14 goals in the Champions League, after his double on the ground of Bruges (3-0).
That is 16 goals in all competitions (selection included) since the beginning of September.
Defeated at the opening of the C1 on the ground of Lazio (3-1), Dortmund is well launched this time, with the first place of group F (6 points).
A little earlier, the Italians had passed very close to a first disappointment this season in European competition, failing to lose at the last minute on the ground of Zenit Saint Petersburg (1-1).
But video assistance rescued Lazio, signaling an offside on this final action.
The Romans, already in the storm for suspicions of "violation of health protocols" in the league, thus avoid a new blow and are second in the group.
- Group G: Barça close to 8th -
Mission accomplished for FC Barcelona, which reassures on the European level failing to impress in La Liga.
Lionel Messi scored on the penalty kick at the start of the match against Dynamo Kiev (2-1), giving the Catalans a third victory in three days of C1.
The game is not yet quite there, like an Antoine Griezmann always transparent, but qualification is very close for the Barcelona.
The first place may well be played against Juventus Turin, as expected.
The Turinese have indeed honored the return to C1 of their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, recently affected by the Covid-19, by winning among the Hungarians of Ferencvaros (4-1), in one of the only stadiums with an audience of the evening Wednesday.
But the Portuguese did not score, preferring to offer an assist to his partner Alvaro Morata, who scored twice.
© 2020 AFP