End of the road for the U19s
Beaten 2-1 by Hertha Berlin on Wednesday in their UEFA Youth League play-off, the U19 side's European adventure comes to an end.
Having finished second in their group, Paris Saint-Germain knew they would have to go via the playoffs to progress to the Last 16 with Hertha Berlin - Germany's U19 champions - standing in their way.
Against a solid opponent, the Rouge-et-Bleu tried to come out on top through their technique, and Providence worked a shooting opportunity (16') before Coulibaly's corner was headed in by Pembele with the help of a post (0-1, 25e). Aouchiche then went close to a second, but the woodwork denied him (33').
Hertha stepped up the tempo after the break, and finally broke through when Krebs fired high past Innocent to level (1-1, 73'), before Zografakis' half-volley picked out the top corner (2-1, 85'). The Rouge-et-Bleu laid siege to the hosts' goal, but Muinga shot wide (87') and Pembele hit a post (90+5') as they bowed out bravely.
HERTHA BERLIN-PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: 2-1 (0-1)
UEFA Youth League - Play-off
Stadion auf dem Wurfplatz (Berlin)
Goals: Krebs (74') and Zografakis (85') for Hertha Berlin, Pembele (25') for Paris Saint-Germain.
HERTHA BERLIN: Klatte - Gurschke (Tamim, 80'), Rekik (c), Baak, Kastrati - Jastrzembski (Krüger, 90+4'), Albrecht, Krebs, Zografakis (Michelbrink, 90+4') - Ngankam, Werthmüller (Ramic, 75'). Coach: Michael Hartmann.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN : Innocent - Yapi (Larkeche, 81'), Kouassi, Nya (c), Pembele - Ruiz-Atil, Kapo (Oufella, 75'), Aouchiche - Providence (Yaisien, 62'), Muinga - Coulibaly (Fressange, 82'). Coach: Regis Beunardeau.