Paris St-Germain reached the Champions League quarter-final last night for the first time in 18 years after a 1:1 draw against Valencia at the Parc des Princes. PSG advanced with a 3:2 aggregate win.
Paris St-Germain went into the game after a 2-1 victory at Valencia in the first leg. Ancelotti replaced the suspended Ibrahimovic with Lucas Maura and Beckham started from the bench.
PSG started slowly trying to avoid mistakes. Valencia, knew they needed to score, but also didn’t want to be open for the dangerous PSG counter attacks in front of the 43,000 fans. The first big chance came from Valencia when Soldado and Jonas played a one-two and proved PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu. Valencia was the better team in the first half and chances were rare. Jonas had another shot before the half, but his try was straight at Sirigu.
Finally, in the 55th minute, Jonas received the ball 25 yards from the goal and smashed the ball past Sirigu – 0:1 Valencia. The goal was urgently needed in the game. Valencia started pressuring PSG knowing they required one more goal to advance. However, it also gave PSG space to counter attack. Lavezzi appeared in front of the Valencia goal and his shot was denied by Keeper Guaita. Guaita, however, wasn’t able to save the rebound – 1:1. Valencia wanted the extra time and pressured for another goal. However, the PSG defence denied any other attacks.
PSG advanced with an aggregate 3:2 win and reached the quarter-final of the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Paris St-Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti is the only manager that has led four different clubs into the Champions League quarter-finals (Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG).
Carlo Ancelotti said after the game: “We knew Valencia came to play their game and they played really well, but after we conceded the goal we did better. We consider it a very important result for the club and for everyone. After 18 years to reach the quarter-finals it is very important.”
