Heroic victory in the Theatre of Dreams!

One week after the victory over Leipzig (1-0), Paris Saint-Germain were back in European action with a crucial match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. For the occasion, Thomas Tuchel opted for a front three of Mbappé, Neymar and Kean.

Le onze de départ pour cette 5️⃣e journée de @ChampionsLeague 📋#MUPSG

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) December 2, 2020

Determination, intensity, electricity: the ingredients of a high octane match were palpable from the very get go on Wednesday evening. The match called on the current French champions to dig deep into the physical and mental reserves. And that's exactly what Thomas Tuchel's side did, battling for every ball. A tactic that paid off very early on in the encounter! Some link-up play through the middle from Neymar and Mbappé allowed the Frenchman to break through the Red Devils' defence and try his luck. The Brazilian forward followed in well after a deflection from a defender and left De Gea with no chance as he buried the ball into the back of the net (0-1, 6').

With the match becoming more and more highly charged, Les Rouge et Bleu never gave an inch under pressure, showing solidarity at every challenge they faced. But they needed to tread carefully against an incredibly dangerous attacking side, with a certain Edinson Cavani, who the Capital remembers only too well, leading the line. And it was in a period of dominance for the home side that the Red Devils managed to equalise, as Marcus Rashford saw his effort deflected into the back of the net by Danilo (1-1, 32'). Despite some promising moves, the score remained as it was until the break.

After half-time, the two sides stuck to their plans: bringing out the ball as one for Les Parisiens, while United looked to strike on the counter. Anthony Martial ensured hearts were in mouths for the visitors on two occasions, but he couldn't find the back of the net from close-range (49', 57'), while Edinson Cavani hit the bar with an impressive lob. At the other end of the pitch, Thomas Tuchel's side continued to probe, with Marquinhos also finding the bar as he headed at goal after an incredible team move (63').

Les Franciliens never faltered and after a great chance for Mitchel Bakker, it was the captain, Marquinhos who made the difference as he made the most of a scramble in the box to tap beyond De Gea (1-2 67'). The determination paid off for Les Parisiens who then played the final 20 minutes with a numerical advantage after Fred was given a second yellow card (70'). And although, United continued to threaten until the very end of the encounter, Neymar Jr and co. left everything out on the pitch as they looked to ensure the victory. The n°10 took it upon himself to guarantee the three points and he converted a move that he had originally started with some impressive skill in his own half (1-3, 90+1').

Paris Saint-Germain came out on top in this crucial match in the Theatre of Dreams. A precious victory that allows the French champions to calmly consider what is to come in the most prestigious club competition. Les Parisiens will need to reproduce the same feat next Tuesday evening, with their final group stage match against Istanbul Basaksehir.