Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, one as an opportunist finisher and the other as a detonator, were once again decisive in allowing PSG to overthrow FC Barcelona on Tuesday evening in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League.
Having missed out on his first leg even though he had warned that he was “not going to hide”, Mbappé did not show himself much more on the return leg. But as in the round of 16 against Real Sociedad, the star of the French team scored twice (61st, 89th) to send his team to the semi-finals, with his seventh and eighth goals of the season in C1 , after having once again fought to escape from the clutches of the Barcelona defenders.
Positioned in the center and not on his left wing, where he had struggled to overtake his teammate in the selection Jules Koundé last week at the Parc des Princes, it was this time on Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo that Mbappé came up against.
Kylian Mbappé transforms the penalty obtained by his attacking partner Ousmane Dembélé during the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona / Josep LAGO / AFP/Archives
His work was nevertheless valuable, and opened up space for Dembélé and Barcola, who caused the expulsion of Araujo, turning point in the match while Barça led 1-0 after Raphinha’s opening score (12th), double scorer in the first leg.
Dembélé overturns everything, Mbappé finishes the job
And like last Tuesday at the Parc des Princes, it was not Mbappé but Dembélé who sounded the revolt for his return to Barcelona, where he was greeted… with insults.
Whistled at every ball, the ex-Blaugrana (2017-2023) was initially messy, as is often the case, which earned him sometimes harsh criticism in the press as was the case during his Barcelona years.
He then tried to create an imbalance with his dribbling and passing skills on the right wing of the Parisian attack, before completely reviving his team in the match.
Ousmane Dembélé mowed down by Joao Cancelo in the area during the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League on April 16, 2024. The penalty whistled for this foul was converted by Kylian Mbappé / FRANCK FIFE / AFP/Archives
Well placed at the far post on a good cross from Bradley Barcola, the No.10 of PSG, recruited last summer for around fifty million euros from the Catalan club, did not tremble when finishing strong with his right foot under the bar of his former captain Ter Stegen (41st, 1-1).
This goal was only his third in Parisian colors, the second against his former team after his goal in the first leg. But unlike the Parc match, where he provoked the anger of his former supporters for celebrating with his arms crossed, this time he contained his joy a little.
The French international, still as skilled with both feet, even came close to a double just before half-time, his right volley grazing the post while the entire stadium held its breath (45th + 2).
In his characteristic style, the former Rennais pushed Joao Cancelo to make a mistake to offer the break penalty to Mbappé (61st, 3-1), serene in front of Ter Stegen.
A way for Dembélé, treated as “ungrateful” by the Catalan press for wanting to leave a club which supported him even in difficult times, to remind his former supporters that he remains one of the most difficult players to score one on one.
“He is one of the most consistent and consistent players. He can overrun, make assists, help us in defense, create space. He is one of the best signings of the season and a player vital for us”, Luis Enrique repeats over and over again, also referring to “a permanent spectacle”.
Luis Enrique congratulates Ousmane Dembélé during his exit in the 88th minute of the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League on April 16, 2024 Barcelona. “He’s one of the best recruits of the season and a vital player for us,” says the Spanish PSG coach of his striker / Josep LAGO / AFP/Archives
Dembélé, who came out under the whistles in the 88th minute, the ex-Dortmund winger, who he will meet again in the semi-final, welcomed the man of the match trophy with a big smile.
“I’m not going to change my game for whistles, I stayed focused. I scored, got a penalty, I’m happy with my performance,” he commented in front of the Canal+ camera.
Kylian Mbappé remained on the pitch until the final whistle to take advantage of the spaces left by the Catalans, who had attacked. He did it with composure by following a double save from Ter Stegen on a dazzling counterattack (89th, 4-1) to score a double and close the match.
