Paris, France — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began their Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Girona at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
The match, a hard-fought contest from start to finish, saw the home side dominate possession and create numerous chances, but a combination of defensive grit from the visitors and an inspired performance from Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga kept the scoreline level for most of the game.
In the final minutes, however, Gazzaniga’s critical error handed PSG the win, with Nuno Mendes’ shot slipping between the Argentine’s legs to secure the victory.
Despite the result, PSG manager Luis Enrique was cautious about reading too much into the victory, citing the complexities and uncertainties of the Champions League’s new league-phase format.
A Challenging Debut Under the New Format
With the introduction of the revamped Champions League format, the stakes and strategy have shifted for teams across Europe. Instead of the traditional group-stage system, clubs now play eight matches against different opponents in a 36-team league table.
The top eight teams automatically advance to the knockout stage, while those placed between ninth and 24th must navigate an additional round to reach the last 16.
After PSG’s opening win, Luis Enrique admitted that it’s difficult to gauge the full impact of such victories early in the competition. “Winning a match or any title is difficult, but we don’t know the dimension of this competition with this format,” he said.
“We are going to have to play matches against teams that have easier schedules than ours. How many points are we going to need? There are many unknowns that need to be cleared up.”
Girona’s Grit and Gazzaniga’s Crucial Error
PSG controlled much of the match, boasting over 60% possession and peppering Girona’s goal with shots. However, last season’s surprise package from LaLiga, Girona, stood firm in defense, frustrating the French champions with disciplined play and effective counterattacks.
Paulo Gazzaniga, in particular, was exceptional between the posts, making several key saves to deny PSG’s offensive trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Marco Asensio.
Gazzaniga’s heroics, however, were undone by an unfortunate lapse in the 89th minute. Nuno Mendes fired a relatively tame shot from the edge of the box, but the Girona keeper misjudged the ball, allowing it to squirt through his legs and trickle into the net.
It was a heartbreaking moment for Girona, who had worked tirelessly to keep PSG at bay.
Speaking after the match, Girona manager Michel praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the challenge posed by PSG. “Now in the dressing room, people are a little bit down,” he said. “I told them that we have to be proud of the game we played.
PSG subdued us, and Gazzaniga made some good saves. There were two or three that could have been goals. We have to recognise that their victory is deserved, but we are proud of the way we work.”
Luis Enrique Reflects on a Tough Battle
Despite securing the win, Luis Enrique expressed his frustrations about the difficulties PSG faced against the Spanish side.
“I think we were superior, but Girona played us in circles and made us dizzy,” he commented. “At half-time, we said that if we didn’t press, we were going to suffer. We had to win, and it was very difficult.”
The former Barcelona and Spain manager, known for his candid comments, even quipped, “I told [Girona manager] Michel that this was worse than giving birth, with all due respect.”
While the victory gave PSG a solid start in the competition, it also exposed areas where the French champions need to improve, particularly in finishing their chances.
Throughout the match, the likes of Mbappé and Dembélé failed to convert clear opportunities, a situation PSG will need to rectify as they progress through both the Champions League and domestic competitions.
Injury Woes for PSG
PSG’s win came at a cost, as Marco Asensio limped off just before half-time with an apparent injury. The Spanish forward, who had been in good form at the start of the season, appeared to pull up while chasing the ball, immediately signaling for a substitution.
Luis Enrique confirmed the injury but remained optimistic about his squad’s depth. “He felt a twinge. Marco had started the season well.
This is professional football, and we have a very good squad,” the PSG coach said. With Asensio’s absence potentially stretching over the coming weeks, players like Gonçalo Ramos and new signings such as Bradley Barcola may be called upon to fill the void.
Girona’s Positive Outlook Despite Defeat
Girona may have left Paris without any points, but their spirited performance against one of Europe’s top sides drew praise. Michel was proud of his players’ resilience and emphasized the importance of learning from the defeat.
“PSG are a top team, but we showed that we can compete at this level. We defended well, Gazzaniga made some great saves, and we had our moments,” Michel said. “Next time, we hope to be on the right side of the result. Let’s see if we get another chance to come to Paris next year.”
Girona’s defensive effort, coupled with a few dangerous counterattacks, highlighted their growing reputation as a formidable side, even against Europe’s elite. As they prepare to return to LaLiga action, Michel will be keen to build on this performance and carry momentum forward into their next matches.
What’s Next?
For PSG, the focus shifts back to Ligue 1, where they will face Reims away on Saturday. With a demanding schedule ahead, Luis Enrique will need to manage his squad carefully, especially with key players like Asensio nursing injuries.
As PSG continue to adjust to the new Champions League format, they’ll look to build on their opening win while addressing the challenges posed by a more grueling league-phase system.
Girona, meanwhile, will return to Spain to prepare for their LaLiga clash against Valencia. Despite the defeat in Paris, they’ll carry confidence from their performance and aim to bounce back in domestic competition.
As the Champions League progresses, the new format’s impact on strategy and match preparation will continue to unfold, with Luis Enrique and his PSG side seeking to navigate the uncertainties ahead in pursuit of European glory.
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