A missed opportunity in Germany

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Paris Saint-Germain were defeated by RB Leipzig on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage (2-1). Here's a look back at the encounter.

A week after their victory in Istanbul Paris Saint-Germain found themselves back on the European trail facing RB Leipzig, a side they had eliminated in the semi-final of last season's Champions League as part of the club's best ever performance in the competition. In the absence of several key players Thomas Tuchel went for a 4-3-3 formation with Di Maria, Kean and Sarabia forming an attacking trio.

The intensity was there for all to see straight from kick-off. The two sides set up differently and both tried to impose their style of play on the game. Facing a quick, counter-attacking side the Parisians went toe to toe from the off. And it was Thomas Tuchel's men who broke the deadlock with their very first attack thanks to a clinical finish from Angel Di Maria after he was played through by Moise Kean (0-1 6'). The German side instantly bounced back with two quick chances of their own. Keylor Navas and Alessandro Florenzi both denied Leipzig brilliantly (8').

The Kean-Di Maria combination linked up once more a few minutes later, but after the Italian won a penalty the Argentine saw his spot kick beaten away by Gulasci (16'). The Parisians had to work incredibly hard to win the ball back, and then stay concentrated to make sure that Julian Nagelsmann's men didn't get in behind. Despite the Rouge et Bleu efforts and after a solid first-half it was the ex-Parisian Christopher Nkunku who enabled the home side to equalise just before the break (1-1, 41').

Despite the Parisians starting the second half with the same determination - exemplified by Moise Kean, who worked hard from the front and hit a bullet strike just off target (53') - the home side managed to grab a hold of the game. Emil Forsberg tucked away a penalty after a handball (2-1, 57'), before Leipzig found themselves facing ten men after Idrissa Gueye's sending off (69'). Playing with ten men it was difficult for the Parisians to get themselves back into the game and in fact they finished with just nine after a second yellow for Presnel Kimpembe (90+2').

Despite a pretty even game Paris Saint-Germain went down 2-1 in the first of their two encounters with RB Leipzig. Their next meeting will take place in three weeks at the Parc des Princes.