Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) produced a thrilling comeback against Monaco, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off.
Desire Doue, who had started on the bench, was introduced in place of Ousmane Dembélé midway through the first half after PSG found themselves two goals down. The 20-year-old forward made an immediate impact, scoring twice and assisting Achraf Hakimi for the equalizer in a memorable performance.
Monaco’s Early Dominance
The match got off to a disastrous start for PSG, as Monaco took the lead in the first minute. Folarin Balogun, who has been in fine form this season, connected with Aleksandr Golovin’s cross and headed the ball home from close range to give Monaco a shock early advantage.
Just 20 minutes later, Monaco doubled their lead, this time with Balogun again playing a role in the build-up. PSG was caught off guard and struggled to deal with Monaco’s high tempo and direct attacks.
Doué’s Immediate Impact
With PSG trailing 2-0, manager Luis Enrique made the bold decision to bring on Desire Doue, and it proved to be a game-changing move. Doué was a constant threat, and his contribution started almost immediately.
The young forward scored twice, including a brilliant header that reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the second half. His goals were followed by a perfectly timed assist to Hakimi, whose goal completed the turnaround and made the score 2-2.
Monaco’s Misfortune
In the second half, Monaco’s discipline suffered as they were reduced to 10 men. A reckless challenge from Golovin earned him a second yellow card, leaving Monaco to fight on with a numerical disadvantage. This gave PSG a clear advantage, and the Parisians capitalized.
PSG’s attacking prowess, led by Doué, proved too much for Monaco to handle, and PSG eventually claimed a 3-2 victory on the night.
PSG’s Confidence Boost
This comeback victory is a significant morale boost for PSG, who had previously struggled in Ligue 1 matches. Despite the rocky start, Doué’s impact was a reminder of the team’s potential, especially with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar unavailable for the game.
The two-goal advantage heading into the second leg will give PSG confidence, but they will need to be cautious against a Monaco side that will be keen to bounce back.
Monaco’s Task for the Return Leg
For Monaco, the return leg at the Parc des Princes now presents a huge challenge. They need to score at least two goals and avoid conceding further to keep their Champions League hopes alive. The red card has also left them with a weakened squad, but they will have to find a way to deal with PSG’s attacking quality in the second leg.
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