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PSG have managed to pick up a crucial first-leg victory in their Round of 16 clash in the UEFA Champions League this week. The French giants edged Real Madrid to a narrow 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes. The hosts were a dominant force in the game but needed a late strike from Kylian Mbappe to make their possession count.
Real Madrid failed to give Gianluigi Donnarumma a busy day and will need to find an alternative plan in the second leg. PSG hold an important advantage at the moment and will take plenty of heart from a well-deserved clean sheet and victory.
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PSG were utterly dominant in the first half and starved Real Madrid of the ball for large parts of the first half. Los Blancos were resolute in their defensive stand against the Parisians but were troubled by the occasional French foray.
Real Madrid saw very little of the ball in the first half-hour as Verratti and Messi dominated the midfield with ease. PSG were largely unable to create concrete chances, however, and went into half-time without causing Thibaut Courtois too many problems.
Real Madrid made a relatively better start to the second half but eventually retreated into their half as PSG grew into their stride. The hosts' approach paid dividends as Kylian Mbappe won the side a penalty, but Thibaut Courtois stepped up to save Lionel Messi's strike.
PSG continued to bombard Real Madrid's goal towards the end of the game, however, and finally found the back of the net after a piece of magic from Kylian Mbappe. The French giants have the upper hand in the tie with a first-leg lead that could prove immensely useful at the Santiago Bernabeu.
#5 The away-goal rule - did Real Madrid try hard enough?
We may well have seen the beginning of a seismic change in the UEFA Champions League's knock-out fixtures.
With away goals losing their historic privilege in the competition, teams playing away from home have very little incentive to go on the offensive. Given that they have Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior in their ranks, it is surprising that Real Madrid employed their low block.
Carlo Ancelotti is known for his blend of pragmatism and adventure but may have erred on the side of caution on this occasion. Kylian Mbappe's late goal negated Real Madrid's defensive work and will have left some in the Spaniards' think tank revisiting their drawing board.
#4 PSG finally get their tactics right
A high press is not something you would associate with a team boasting the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar. And yet, PSG pulled out a hard press and gave Real Madrid a particularly tough night at the Parc des Princes.
With Marco Verratti taking control of the midfield, PSG were largely untroubled for most of the game. Real Madrid struggled to get out of their own half and when they did, PSG constricted them with an impressive pressing system.
Carlo Ancelotti has his work cut out for him in the UEFA Champions League. The Italian maestro is not accustomed to a high press in La Liga and will need to make amends to his approach to adapt to Europe's premier competition.
#3 Real Madrid's veterans outdone by the Verratti show
On a night for which Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will grab all the headlines, PSG's Marco Verratti was the most influential player on the pitch. The Italian was up against a world-class midfield and made it look like a walk in the park.
Real Madrid have arguably one of the best midfield trios in the history of the UEFA Champions League at their disposal. Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos started in their quintessential positions but were systematically dismantled by PSG's very own technician.
Verratti showed incredible poise in a particularly tense midfield environment and was one of PSG's best players against Real Madrid. The Parisians have some of the most lethal attacking firepower in the world this season but will not deliver such performances without their prodigious midfield orchestrator.
#2 Thibaut Courtois denies Lionel Messi his magic moment
Lionel Messi knows Real Madrid a little too well. The flip side? Real Madrid know the Argentine maestro even better.
Messi has tormented Real Madrid with Barcelona and his history with Los Blancos meant that this was supposed to be a game of epic proportions. Thibaut Courtois had other ideas, however, and made Messi wait a little longer for his Real Madrid reunion goal with a typically astute save.
Lionel Messi was visibly not at his best on the night and was surprisingly inaccurate with his passing in the final third. The former Barcelona man did not look like his usual supernatural self and now has a statement to make in the second leg.
#1 Kylian Mbappe passes his Real Madrid audition with flying colours
Of all the Madridistas waiting with bated breath for Kylian Mbappe's arrival in the Spanish capital, Dani Carvajal must now be at the top of the list. The Spanish full-back was eviscerated by Mbappe on multiple occasions and could do nothing about the Frenchman's pace.
Lucas Vazquez was given the task in the final half-hour and he fared no better. Mbappe made short work of Real Madrid's utility man and scored a pearl of a goal with less than 30 seconds of stoppage-time left to play.
Kylian Mbappe may well be leaving PSG at the end of the season but his performance tonight will leave a lasting impact on Parc des Princes. As far as loyalties are concerned, the fearsome winger remains focussed as ever.
