The Titis fall to Salzburg but remain in contention for qualification

LINE-UP

James, Boly, El Hannach, Tape, Cordier, Nzinga, Diaby (Bagbonon, 62'), Khafi (Jangeal, 72'), Mbaye, Sangaré, Camara (Ndjantou, 62').

SCENARIO

After their resounding 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich in Germany last time out, Paris Saint-Germain's Youth League team were keen to build on their success and, above all, secure their place in the next round of the competition. But our Titis, 21st in the standings with seven points to their name, had their work cut out against an unbeaten FC Salzburg side. With four wins and a draw, the Austrians were in third place in the standings at kick-off.

Under the watchful eyes of President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the match got off to a fast start and it was Oghenetejiri Adejenughure who had the first chance of the game with a shot that announced the hosts' attacking intentions (6'). Paris responded immediately with Mahamadou Sangaré's well-placed pass for Ibrahim Mbaye, but his effort was saved by a desperately back-pedalling defender (8'). The two teams went at each other blow for blow, and James was brilliant in saving a powerful shot from Lukic (10'). Once again, Paris hit back, this time through Oumar Camara, who sent panic through the Austrian rearguard by beating the goalkeeper - only to see Jakob Brandtner come to his side's rescue with a last-ditch clearance (12').

After another warning shot from Adejenughure (18'), Salzburg took the lead thanks to Phillip Verhounig, who found the net with his left foot from an unlikely angle, giving FCS the lead (1-0, 22'). The young Parisians tried to respond, with Ibrahim Mbaye skinning Trummer magnificently but lacking precision with the final touch (29'). Then it was the Salzburg captain's turn to threaten, firing off a shot that found the side-netting (37'). At the end of an excellent first half, it was the Austrian side who took a lead into the break.

And they increased it soon after the restart, Aguilar crossing accurately for Lukic, who made no mistake in beating the Paris keeper (2-0, 46'). It was a blow for the Titis, who a few minutes later saw Phillip Verhounig complete his brace with an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner (3-0, 52'). Despite finding themselves in a tough position, Les Rouge et Bleu did not give up, as evidenced by Boly's superb break down the right flank. The Parisian seemed to be brought down by Trummer in the box, but the referee did not flinch, leaving the Parisians frustrated (58').

The right-back persisted and took a shot on goal shortly before the final quarter-hour, but was unsuccessful (74'). His team-mate Axel Tape's attempt met a similar fate, and it was not until the dying moments of the game that Paris reduced the deficit through the inevitable Mahamadou Sangaré, who latched onto Ibrahim Mbaye's pass and fired home from close range (3-1, 86'). That gave the capital club renewed hope, and they stormed back to score a second goal in the dying seconds, this time when Sangaré set up substitute Quentin Ndjantou to curl it in with his right foot (3-2, 90' +3).

The goal was not enough to earn the Parisians a point, but it could well prove invaluable in the race to qualify for the final stages of the competition, as it keeps Les Rouge et Bleu in the running for a positive outcome. They will now have to wait for the results of AC Milan and LOSC as their fate on the European stage is determined!