The Champions League was back with a bang on Tuesday night, as PSG recorded a win at Manchester United, while Roma won narrowly against Porto in the Italian capital. Here is what happened in those potential vital last 16 first leg ties:
PSG end Solskjaer’s unbeaten record at Manchester United
Big spending French club PSG recorded a 2-0 win at Manchester United’s Old Trafford to end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 11-match unbeaten record as interim United boss. To make matters worse, star midfielder Paul Pogba was dismissed late in the game.
The first half was a lively affair, with five yellow cards issued. PSG had the best chances, as former United midfielder Angel Di Maria curled a long-range effort wide of goal. Kylian Mbappe also poked an effort an effort wide of goal after good play from Julian Draxler.
Manchester United full-back Ashley Young was slightly fortunate to stay on the pitch, as the veteran star, who was already on a booking, nudged Di Maria off the pitch and into the hoardings. Much to the PSG players anger referee Daniele Orsato chose not to produce a yellow card.
United suffered the loss of Jesse Lingard just before half-time due to injury and Anthony Martial also departed at the break due to injury.
United goalkeeper David de Gea produced a good save from a Mbappe header before the visitors found the breakthrough on 53 minutes. Di Maria’s corner found centre-back Presnel Kimpembe at the far post and the defender finished with a side-foot volley from close-range.
PSG came close to adding a second goal soon afterwards, as Dani Alves shot from just outside the area took a heavy deflection off Paul Pogba and went just wide of De Gea’s near post. The visitors did double their lead on the hour mark. Di Maria found space and produced a cross that evaded Eric Bailly and found Mbappe, who poked the ball home past the helpless De Gea.
The United goalkeeper kept the score down by making saves from another Mbappe header and a powerfully struck effort from full-back Juan Bernat. The night got even worse for United with just a minute left on the clock, as Pogba received his second booking of the game for a late tackle on Alves.
Roma edge out Porto at Olimpico
Roma recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Portuguese side Porto at the Stadio Olimpico, which very much keeps the tie alive for the second leg in three weeks’ time.
The game’s opening goal did not arrive until the 70th minute. Edin Dzeko nodded the ball down to youngster Nicolo Zaniolo, who fired a powerful effort past Iker Casillas into the low far corner of the net.
The former Inter star doubled his goal tally just six minutes later, as he was the first to react after a Dzeko effort had come back off the post. However, the visitors scored what could be a valuable away goal three minutes later, as Adrian Lopez fired into the far corner after Tiquinho Soares’ effort had looped up into the air.
The result leaves the tie on a knife-edge, as the Giallorossi will be happy with a victory. However, Porto are a difficult opponent on their own turf, so could cause the team from the Italian capital major problems in the second leg.
Can Manchester United and Porto recover first-leg deficits in three weeks time?
