The first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals has ended.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha shone in Paris despite Kylian Mbappé failing to make an impression.
The Barcelona side also had some record-breaking teenagers, who showed great determination in front of a hostile Parisian crowd who were outnumbered.
Delivered by “first class” Rafinha
Brazilian winger Rafinha had never scored in the Champions League until Wednesday's draw in Paris, but you wouldn't have known it by the quality of his finishing.
For the first goal, he took advantage of a mistake by Gianluigi Donnarumma and converted the loose ball.
The second goal, which brought Barcelona back into the tie, showed great skill as he saw Pedri's clipped pass go over his shoulder and slotted it into the goal with an outside volley with his left foot.
“I thought Raphinha was top-notch,” 2007 Champions League runner-up Peter Crouch said on TNT Sports. “There was a lot to admire technically about his second goal.”
Barcelona coach Xavi told TNT Sport: “Rafinha and Robert Lewandowski have made a difference and Pedri has helped us a lot. I'm very happy and very proud of the team.”
The 27-year-old was dangerous throughout, recording Barcelona's highest number of shots (six), shots on target (four) and touches inside the opposition box (six).
He won Man of the Match and told uefa.com: “We've been training hard these last few weeks. To come here and go home with a win is pretty positive. Winning is important.”But the relationship isn't over yet. . ”
“Can't Mbappe be that bad again?”
Mbappé was on the other side. He represented France at the World Cup, winning and runner-up, and was third at last year's Ballon d'Or.
However, the Champions League is one trophy that has eluded the 25-year-old so far.
This season will be his last chance to win a trophy with PSG alongside the forward. He has decided to leave the club and join Real Madrid. He moved on a free transfer this summer.
PSG were able to tie the score after a missed clearance due to a cutback from a bystander, but overall the Barcelona defense responded well.
He was limited to just three shots, none on target, and had the fewest touches (44) of any PSG outfield player who played a full game.
“Kylian Mbappé, the best player in the world, didn't perform today. Whenever he doesn't perform, PSG doesn't perform either,” 2008 Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand said on TNT Sports He spoke at
“He'll never be that bad again.” [in the second leg]. There's no need to worry about him freezing on the big stage, which is usually when he comes to life. If he decides to turn it on, he's the guy who can get through them. ”
Ferdinand said PSG must show a “better version of ourselves” in the second leg next Tuesday, but added there would be “more effort”.
Barça's young players break Champions League records
Barcelona's team has experienced heads such as 35-year-old Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and 33-year-old German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, but there are also plenty of young players.
Spanish winger Lamine Yamal (16 years and 272 days) and defender Pau Kubalsi (17 years and 79 days) made history by becoming the youngest players to appear in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Defenders Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are both 25 years old, while 21-year-old Pedri was joined on the bench by 20-year-old Fermin López.
There was a chance they would have been overwhelmed by PSG's intensity of pressure when they were introduced, but they turned the game around.
“The young kids were great,” Ferdinand said.
“Sometimes they were driven by experience, but sometimes you need the fearlessness of Kbarshi and Yamal.
“If you think about what we were doing when we were 16 or 17 years old, we can't have that level of energy and that aura and that kind of performance where you can say, 'I belong here.' There probably wasn't.”
Xavi said the club must be “proud” of its young players, adding: “They are more committed to the team. I'm happy because it's a new Barça, but we're moving in a good direction. ” he added.
Barcelona are playing at this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2020, but have only reached the top four in one of their last five attempts.
To advance from six games to two next week, they may need the know-how of experienced players and the fearlessness of young players.
