Pinned
🏟️⚽️🔙#PSGRBL
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 24, 2020
A hard fought win tonight against @DieRotenBullen in Matchday 4 of the @ChampionsLeague https://t.co/0pWbl9QwaE
Paris Saint-Germain held on to claim all three points with a vital 1-0 win over RB Leipzig at Parc des Princes on Tuesday that gives them new hope of qualifying from Champions League Group H. It took just 11 minutes for the hosts to go in front through Neymar from the penalty spot after Angel Di Maria was fouled.
The visitors grew in confidence as the half wore on and PSG were forced to dig in. Thomas Tuchel was under major pressure coming into the match and that was evident in the way he solidified the defense with the inclusion of Mitchel Bakker at left-back. Tuchel also went for a workmanlike midfield with Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes and Danilo Pereira.
37.2 % - Paris have registered their worst possession at HT in the Champions League since September 2017 v Bayern Munich (33.8 %). Tactic ? pic.twitter.com/xwN1HGSp1U
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 24, 2020
Tempers flared as the match pressed on and it was Leipzig who did most of the pushing in the second half, and PSG even reverted to a 5-3-2 formation at one point in a bid to protect their lead and picked up five bookings to Leipzig's one.
Ultimately, it was enough for Les Parisiens with the win lifting them back above the Germans on goal difference due to the Bundesliga outfit's thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.
However, the style of the win will have done little to persuade Tuchel's doubters that he can break PSG out of their current malaise.
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Here's a look at who was on top and who flopped on Tuesday.
Top: Mitchel Bakker
Favored at left-back over the attack-minded Layvin Kurzawa, the Dutchman was a big upgrade in terms of solidity and kept things simple but effective on a night when the result mattered most.
Flop: Thomas Tuchel
PSG might have won the game, but the German's tactical setup and substitutions left a lot to be desired and made it clear that he was happy to sit on the early lead. On another day, Leipzig would have scored but it was not to be.
Top: Christopher Nkunku
The Frenchman impressed on his return to Parc des Princes with a disciplined performance that saw hm put a real shift in for coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Flop: PSG's midfied
It was unimaginative on paper and the reality was even more sobering. PSG have badly missed Marco Verratti and his return toward the end was a massive breath of fresh air for the team.
Top: Marquinos
Restored to the heart of the defense, the captain led the efforts to keep Leipzig at bay in an all hands to the pump approach from Tuchel.
