Paris (AFP)

Dull evening for the French of Paris SG: Presnel Kimpembe went through Wednesday in the Champions League, leaving a breach in the wall on the victorious free kick of Manchester City (2-1), while Kylian Mbappé did not have its usual radiance.

- Kimpembe cracks -

For "Presko", the evening had started rather well but the Parisian central defender was too feverish on the two opposing goals, contributing in spite of himself to the victory of City in this semi-final first leg, which complicates the affairs of the PSG before the return match next Tuesday in England.

It's annoying for the world champion, who had been rather clean in his interventions (20th) or his raises in the first period.

It will undoubtedly be necessary for him to review in the video his hazardous placement on the goal of the Mancunian equalizer, a sleazy Kevin De Bruyne that the Parisian central defense could not rule out.

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, surprised and perhaps guilty of not having communicated, did not move and the ball finished its race at the bottom, without anyone touching it (64th).

Kimpembe's responsibility is even clearer on City's second goal: placed in the wall, alongside Leandro Paredes, the French defender left a gaping gap between him and the Argentine, where Riyad Mahrez slipped the ball from the victory (71st).

In short, an evening to forget for "Presko", until then solid and regular on the European scene this season ...

- Mbappé too discreet -

This time, we have not seen the finisher and irresistible Mbappé of recent weeks, author of a hat-trick against Barcelona in the eighth (4-1, 1-1) or a double against Bayern Munich in the quarters (3- 2, 0-1).

It was rather a lonely Mbappé, struggling alone at the forefront, but also united, quick to return to support his position as left side with abnegation.

Caught in the vice of the defense of City, the world champion did not have many balls to negotiate.

He still initiated some good movements, such as this opening for the overly crushed shot of Neymar (2nd), but he often got stuck in his solo dribbling (43rd, 49th).

But could we blame him when the other Parisians, folded up in front of their cage at the height of City's grip, left him alone 40 meters in front, sending long balls that were difficult to exploit?

His best initiative was a tumble to the right of the area and a cross on the line (56th) that Marco Verratti could not take for a few centimeters ... The action of a possible 2-0 and all the regrets for Paris.

City side, the other Blues present (Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy) were replacements.

They have not entered the pitch but they will be able to savor this victory, which brings their club closer to the very first Champions League final in its history.

© 2021 AFP