Evening all and after a sensational night of action in the Champions League last night, we’re hoping for more fireworks tonight.
The spotlight is on matters in France and Portugal. Paris Saint-Germain have a 2-0 cushion from the first leg as they welcome Manchester United to Parc des Princes while Roma travel to face Porto after a 2-1 win victory at home.
Kick-off is 8pm.
Our focus is on the action in theFrench capital, can Man United stage an improbable comeback?
Well here’s the team they’ve picked to do that and the side they’ll face against.
Man United: De Gea; Smalling, Bailly, Lindelof; Young, Fred, McTominay, Pereira, Shaw; Lukaku, Rashford.
Paris Saint-Germain: Buffon; Kehrer, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Marquinhos, Verratti; Alves, Draxler, Di Maria; Mbappe.
LINEUP CONFIRMED: Here's our Starting XI 🆚@ManUtd 📋 #PSGMU
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 6, 2019
🔴🔵 #AllezParis pic.twitter.com/mjvfCR841S
Three weeks ago the pre-match conversation honed in on the absentees from the PSG side but the talk of the injury woes has shifted to the other side now.
Check out this list of talent that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to plot and plan without for tonight:
- Paul Pogba
- Anthony Martial
- Alexis Sanchez
- Ander Herrera
- Jesse Lingard
- Juan Mata
- Nemanja Matic
- Phil Jones
- Matteo Darmian
- Antonio Valencia
The advantage lies with Thomas Tuchel’s side on the back of that first leg thanks to second-half goals from Kimpembe and Mbappe. They have that two-goal cushion to fall back on and their form has been good since then.
Streets ahead at the top of Ligue 1, PSG have four wins on the bounce in domestic league action since then, chalking up 11 goals and shipping just three in the process. Mbappe bagged a brace on Saturday with 2-1 win away to Caen.
As onerous a task as that looks tonight for Man United, there’s some solace to be found in how the last week has gone for them on the pitch.
Since that 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool, they’ve beaten Crystal Palace and Southampton – admittedly not the strongest opponents – while netting three times in both games. A brace in each of those games for Romelu Lukaku and with that bunch of players they have to operate without, they could do with the Belgian striker hitting form if they’re going to salvage this.
History is not falling on the side of Man United here. Losing 2-0 in the home leg is a deficit that no team has come back from in this competition to ultimately progress. Anyone envisage a famous comeback to propel them into the quarter-finals?
Then again last night at the Bernabeu proved that revivals can happen with Ajax dumping out the reigning champions Real Madrid.
And let’s not forget the disaster that struck PSG at this juncture two years ago. 4-0 up and flying high from the first leg, they were hit by the comeback to beat all comebacks at the Nou Camp as they crashed to a 6-1 defeat.
Could they get nervous at some stage tonight?
Right we’re close to getting underway as Man United aim for a dramatic turnaround. Looks like a damp one in Paris, the home side in the driving seat as this second leg is about to commence.
And we’re underway!
Straight away and there’s an early reducer put in by Fred on Angel Di Maria. Free kick to PSG just inside the United half.
GOAL: PSG 0-1 MAN UNITED (LUKAKU 3)
PSG 0-1 Man United (Lukaku 3)
What a start for Man United! And it’s their in-form striker Lukaku who grabs his fifth goal in three games. Kehrer’s mistake with the backpass, it falls into the path of Lukaku and he rounds the keeper before diverting the ball in. Looked like too heavy a touch initially but he got it into the corner.
That was a simply sensational start and just a great opening for this game. Should give the away team a serious jolt of confidence.
Close! PSG break down the left, flash a ball across from Juan Bernat and Mbappe is inches away from getting a foot to it. In a follow-up passage it takes a good block from Chris Smalling to stop Mbappe.
"WHAT A START FROM MANCHESTER UNITED!"
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 6, 2019
Lukaku makes it game on in Paris!#PSGMUN #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/FeKhgoKTgU
GOAL! PSG 1-1 MAN UNITED (BERNAT 11)
GOOOOAL! And there’s that early United advantage wiped out! This time the PSG move comes from the right, it’s Mbappe who gets away and turns in a low ball. It should be dealt with but Bailly doesn’t react quickly, Bernat is alert and he’s steaming in at the far post to slot home.
Man United might have grabbed that early goal but PSG have not been rattled by that early setback. They’ve been threatening on the wings and it’s been an uncomfortable evening so far for Bailly in defence. A quarter of an hour in, two goals already and it has the look of a game that will produce more.
Close! Bernat is causing chaos down the left for PSG. Another passage of play sees the United rearguard prised apart and when the ball is rolled into Bernat’s path in the box, he has so much space. His drive is beaten away by De Gea and United survive but it’s a big onslaught they’ve had to face so far.
Another flies in from PSG, this time it’s De Maria who unleashes a drive that arrows in from the left of goal outside the area. De Gea’s at full stretch as it goes wide of the post.
That list of absentees has been well-documented in the Man United ranks but the knock-on effect is that the positioning of Bailly is a real problem for them. He’s looking really uncomfortable on the right side of that defence.
It looks like there’s some attempt to get Ashley Young to retreat and help Man United out in that sector. They definitely need to do something and a spell of possession wouldn’t go astray either in the middle. All PSG at the moment.
Still scoreless in tonight’s other Champions League game by the way. If it stays that way Roma will advance at the expense of Porto.
GOAL! PSG 1-2 MAN UNITED (LUKAKU 29)
GOOOOAL! What an amazing first-half! Suddenly Man United are back in front. Moments previously Marcus Rashford had wasted possession when racing in on the left and dragged a shot harmlessly wide when there was team-mates in an advanced position.
He makes up for it, lining the ball up from distance and fizzing in a shot. It looks like it should be dealt with by Buffon in goal but it bounces just before reaching him, he fumbles the catch and it’s the alert Lukaku who reacts to the rebound and lashes home.
That’s three attacks for Man United so far and a yield of two goals. Efficient stuff and Lukaku’s goalscoring run continues!
Sub: Eric Bailly’s night is done. He got clattered a few minutes ago and was down in pain but it hadn’t been an easy half hour or so of defending for him. Dalot comes in.
PSG haven’t got a grip of this since the concession of the second one, Man United look understandably buoyed. Rashford bangs in another shots that is inches outside the far upright but it’s blown subsequently for offside.
Porto 1-1 Roma: Two goals in the night’s other match with Tiquinho edging Porto ahead in the 26th minute before a De Rossi penalty has just drawn Roma level.
Not one the Italian goalkeeping great is going to reflect fondly on. He’s messed that one up and handed Man United a route back into contention.
Oh, Gigi... 🙈
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 6, 2019
"A clanger", from the veteran keeper allows Lukaku to get his 2nd of the night!
Live on Virgin Media Sport.#PSGMUN #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/rbt4A69klm
Close! Nice move by Man United in a congested middle and when the play is switched to the right, Dalot rushes on in plenty space. He beautifully takes it past Bernat and drives in a low ball that pings off a PSG defender it seems and Buffon needed to watch it in a crowded goalmouth to prevent the concession of a third.
Solskjaer will be delighted at how they’ve taken a hold of this game and moved into the ascendancy considering how nervy things looked there for a while.
Looks dangerous there as PSG counter after a loose pass from Dalot. It’s Mbappe accelerating through the centre but he seems to stand on the ball as he approaches the box with Lindelof near and United can get the bodies back to reorganise.
Half-Time: PSG 1-2 Manchester United
So what about that for an opening period? Plenty drama, it exploded to life two minutes in when the away team and underdogs for this second leg got a dream start through Romelu Lukaku. PSG countered and controlled this game with Bernat bringing them level ten minutes later. But Man United coped with the waves of pressure and grabbed a second goal through Lukaku on the half hour mark. They’re ahead 2-1 at the interval, trailing 3-2 on aggregate and very much in this tie. Back shortly for the second half.
Kick off! Second-half action is under way
PSG ping it around in the early stages of the second half without creating anything that’s going to trouble Man United so far. The longer it stays like this, will anxiety start to creep into the minds of the home side?
PSG break swiftly, Di Maria floats a diagonal ball in on the counter-attack that could fall for Mbappe but it’s hooked away by Lindelof. Vital touch.
PSG are knocking on the door but haven’t tested De Gea yet since half-time. They protest there about being awarded a penalty after Smalling challenges Alves when a high ball comes in but the referee is having none of it.
United go up the other end and have a couple of crossing opportunities. Dalot hits the first one in but it’s too far and is collected on the left by Pereira. This time the delivery is better but it can’t find Lukaku and rolls wide.
Feels delicately poised this one.
PSG have the ball in the net through Di Maria but it looks like it won’t count due to offside!
Yes it won’t count and United can breathe a sigh of relief. A delightful chipped finish by Di Maria after an exquisite flick by Mbappe, which sent the ball through the legs of Smalling, played him in. No goal but a reminder of that Paris Saint-Germain threat.
Porto 2-1 Roma: Marega has Porto back ahead. Extra-time beckons if it stays like that in Portugal.
One more goal for Man United nudges them in front on aggregate courtesy of their away strikes. They haven’t come close yet since the interval but they showed in the first half that a scarcity of chances is not an obstruction to them finding the net.
Draxler looks to guide the ball through audaciously with the outside of his right for PSG. It floats through the air and into the box but with Di Maria lurking, Young sticks out a boot to save his side and the ball flies up into the grateful arms of De Gea.
Nearly 20 minutes gone in this second half and Man United are hanging on. They’ve managed to repel PSG and leave it still in the balance. Possession mainly with the home side but it’s no relaxing evening for them so far.
A hint of a break for Man United as Lukaku does the hard part to escape from a crowd in the middle but opts to spray the ball quickly to the right instead of trying to gallop into space. It’s intended for Dalot but PSG intercept and clear.
Looks like Draxler’s night is done for PSG as he holds his leg. Time for Cavani to be introduced?
Sub: And that’s it for an injured Draxler as his hamstring brings his involvement to a halt. Kehrer also coming off with Meunier and Paredes the pair coming on.
So who thought this tie would still be up for grabs with 20 minutes left? Dilemma for United now is when to push on to chase that third goal they need.
Close! Electric stuff by PSG as Mbappe plays a one-two that opens up that United backline. He drills in a low centre that is begging to be touched home but it’s Young who dives in to scramble clear for United.
Not long on and Paredes is in the book after the PSG player goes in on Pereira and is shown yellow.
Poor throw from Dalot and poor touch from Young and suddenly PSG are away. They spurn the opening after Di Maria tore upfield and laid off to Mbappe who ran it out of play with a heavy touch.
Just under 15 minutes of normal time to go.
Not many options for United to spring on it seems to change this up.
Sub: And here comes Tahith Chong for United, brought in for Andreas Pereira.
That’s great defensive work by Chris Smalling. Stepover and burst of speed from Mbappe but the ball ends up touching him last as it goes wide.
Yet another cross is banged in by PSG in the box, this time it’s Meunier and it comes at a fair pace close to De Gea who punches clear.
Close! What a chance for PSG to wrap it up! Alves splits the defence and Mbappe gets free but De Gea claws at the ball as he tries to go around him. The French World Cup winner is blocked by Smalling with his follow up and then Bernat has a go from an acute angle but it smacks against the upright.
United need a scoring hero. 17-year-old Mason Greenwood looks like he’ll get the chance to do that as a depleted squad go into their reserves.
Two minutes of normal time remaining.
Will they get one more chance? PSG look like they’ll try to close this one out.
Corner to United after Dalot’s long-range shot was deflected wide.
Wait a minute, it’s going to be reviewed for a possible penalty.
Did Kimpembe hand ball it?
Penalty to Manchester United!
That is incredible! The referee has given it!
In the 93rd minute, Rashford will have the chance to be United’s hero! Scenes!
PSG players protesting, arguments break out but it’s going to be taken.
Goal for Manchester United!
He’s done it! What a penalty by Rashford!
GOAL! PSG 1-3 Manchester United (Rashford 93)
This is absolutely incredible.
Man United are seconds away from an amazing win.
PSG attack and win a corner!
The corner is cleared. Still the game goes on.
Another attack comes to nothing. That could be it.
Three minutes over injury-time played.
No sign of the full-time whistle yet, PSG still attacking.
One more cross swung in but it goes wide.
99 minutes gone and still this match goes on. Free kick to PSG.
Full-Time: PSG 1-3 Manchester United
They’ve done it! Manchester United knock Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League and reach the quarter-finals! Incredible!
What a finale and what a Champions League night! An understrength Manchester United land in Paris and overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit. Rashford kept his cool after that controversial penalty award and they’re through to the last eight!
It’s another disaster in Europe for Paris Saint-Germain. Two years on from that collapse in Barcelona, they entered this game well on top after that first leg. Even with that early concession to Lukaku, they still recovered to draw level and boss the match. But it seemed to all change with Lukaku’s second goal and they weren’t clinical enough to hit the net after the break.
Now what about that penalty decision, did you agree with it? Looks really questionable.
Solsk-VAR. 🖥
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 6, 2019
Here's the VAR incident that led to Man United's 91st minute penalty.
What do you think?#PSGMUN #UCL #VMSport pic.twitter.com/nBBfIo7og1
Still Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and players won’t care. His biggest win yet, surely he’s the next Man United manager on a permanent basis now?
Right we’re going to try to get our heads around that finale. But it’s Manchester United through to the quarter-finals, PSG are out and we’ve just witnessed a remarkable night in the Champions League.
Thanks for joining us tonight, enjoy the celebrations United fans and stick around for plenty more analysis and reaction. Bye!
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