As hard as Liverpool fans will be taking their side’s exit from the Champions League, the French media is reveling in Paris Saint-Germain’s triumph at Anfield.
Despite trailing after the first leg in the French capital, Luis Enrique’s side soon drew level on Merseyside, with Ousmane Dembele tapping home after Ibrahima Konate’s attempt to cut out Bradley Barcola’s cross. Despite chances for both sides, with Liverpool in particular going close through Mohamed Salah and Jarell Quansah, they couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes, leading the tie to be decided on penalties.
Much like he was for Italy against England at Wembley four years ago, Gianluigi Donnarumma proved to be PSG’s hero, saving both Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones’ spot-kicks to end the Reds’ hopes of a treble, and send the French champions through to the quarter-finals.
Ultimately, PSG backed up what had been a bullish response to last week’s defeat at the hands of Arne Slot’s side, and they will now be seen as one of the favorites to go all the way to Munich, having beaten the competition’s previous favorites.
After bemoaning an ‘English Robbery’ less than seven days ago, L’Equipe’s front page this time is adorned with the headline ‘Super-Heros’ as it heralds PSG’s victory. The outlet also doesn’t hold back in its ratings for some of Liverpool’s stars, handing out 4/10s to Salah, Diogo Jota and Ryan Gravenberch.
Meanwhile, RMC Sport outlined the significance of the date in which PSG’s latest victory came: “PSG secured a historic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 away to Liverpool on Tuesday. This stunning victory came on March 11th, five years after the victory against Dortmund behind closed doors at the Parc des Princes and ten years after the victory over Chelsea thanks to a Thiago Silva header. Enough to make this date a new lucky charm for the Parisians.
“Returning to the locker room, sporting his khaki down jacket and blue tracksuit bottoms, Marquinhos burst into joy at Anfield on Tuesday evening. The PSG captain savored his team’s historic qualification at Liverpool’s home ground, after a memorable double-header that ended in a penalty shootout. After a few hugs, the Brazilian defender approached a camera from the capital club and said with a big smile: “March 11th, it’s March 11th!”
As for Le Parisien, who had seemingly given up all hope less than a week ago, it was an unforgettable night: “Kids in a playground. While the Reds’ supporters were eager to applaud their fallen heroes in style, the Parisian fury was simultaneously sweeping across Anfield, just outside the crowded PSG stadium.
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“It was 10:42 p.m. (local time), the atmosphere in Liverpool was chilly, but the red and blue hearts were warm. One by one, players and staff members immediately ran towards their 3,000 fans to savor a legendary victory (0-1, 1-4 on penalties), after a night of drunkenness and a spectacular penalty shootout.
“With broad smiles on their faces, Désiré Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery were the first to be swept away by the cluster of supporters who had just deserted the stands to embrace them at the edge of the pitch. Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernandez, and Presnel Kimpembe launched into a few fiery dance moves, while Ousmane Dembélé proudly displayed his PSG crest. Not far away, Achraf Hakimi, in toreador mode, waved a PSG flag, to the boos of the small crowd that remained in their seats.
(Image: Getty Images)
“You saw the way we celebrated with our supporters! In the locker room, it was a party, but with the awareness that we haven’t done anything yet,” Luis Enrique declared at the press conference. “It’s very difficult to analyze the match because there are still a lot of emotions. Very clearly, the moment is important for us: the club, the players, the fans. There were more than 3,000 of them at Anfield. This qualification is for them. We rose to the occasion.”
“Drunk with joy, the Spaniard harangued the crowd, while at the same time, Luis Campos went around his squad to congratulate the heroes of the evening one by one. Particular attention was paid to Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was incredible during the penalty shootout, whom he embraced for long seconds. After deflecting shots from Nunez and Jones, the Italian was finally able to collect his man of the match trophy and share it with his loved ones in the stands. “We’re very happy for him,” confided Marquinhos. “I told him, even before the penalty shootout: this match is made for you. He was much discussed after the first leg, but he showed his worth again, how important he is. He showed what he’s capable of. He’s a great player.”
“While the goalkeeper received this honorary distinction, it was the entire Parisian team that was the big winner of this epic, stunning, and crazy double-header. After 210 absolutely stifling minutes, PSG came to write a memorable page in its history.”
