The European journey so far
Tonight, Paris Saint-Germain play their eighth European game of the season against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United. We take a look back at their route in the competition since the big kick-off in September 2018.
Tuesday 18th September: Liverpool (A) 2-3
For match day one of the UEFA Champions League group stage, two of Group C's favorites met at Anfield, Liverpool, to open their European accounts. Unfortunately on the night, the visitors missed out on a point by the most narrow of margins due to an injury time winner from The Reds' Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino. Thomas Meunier and Kylian Mbappé had previously put their names on the score sheet for Paris in an exciting tie.
Wednesday 3rd October: Red Star Belgrade (H) 6-1
European action returned to the Parc des Princes for the new season at the start of October, with the Rouge et Bleu registering a staggering 6-1 win in front of 40,000 spectators in Paris. In a game that saw Thomas Tuchel's enviable attacking force dominate proceedings, Neymar (3), Mbappé, Cavani and Di Maria all registered goals.
Wednesday 24th October: SSC Napoli (H) 2-2
A second consecutive home game saw the Parisians pick up another point on the road to qualification against Italian side Napoli. The fiercely fought encounter saw both sides trade blows with Paris Saint-Germain cancelling two Napoli leads including a spectacular equalizer from Angel Di Maria with virtually the last kick of the game.
Tuesday 6th November: SSC Napoli (A) 1-1
Just 13 days after the stalemate in Paris, the two sides played each other again, this time on Italian soil. The result however would be the same as the previous encounter, with two physical sides battling out a point in a tight game. Despite Juan Bernat opening his European account with the game's first goal, the point was overshadowed by a decision to mistakingly ignore a penalty appeal from the Spaniard after a clear foul. The point left Group C on a knife-edge as Liverpool lost away at Red Star Belgrade on the same night. The results opened up a variety of possibilities for the climax to the qualification stage.
Wednesday 28th November: Liverpool (H) 2-1
With the stage all set for a make or break tie in Paris, a sell-out crowd packed a chilly Parc des Princes to witness a match between two sides that couldn't afford to lose. Fortunately for the home side, a thoroughly convincing performance saw goals from Bernat and Neymar Jr secure three points for the home team in an electric atmosphere. The win meant that the Parisians would travel to Serbia knowing that victory in the final game would secure their passage to the next round.
Tuesday 11th December: Red Star Belgrade (A) 4-1
December's comprehensive 4-1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain in Belgrade ensured the Rouge et Bleu topped Group C in a night that also saw Liverpool progress to the last 16. Goals from Cavani, Neymar Jr, Marquinhos and a stoppage time strike from Mbappé sealed the win on a fantastic night for the Parisians.
Tuesday 12th February: Manchester United, Round of 16, 1st Leg, (A) 2-0
Two months after qualification was secured in Belgrade, the Rouge et Bleu again turned their focus to European competition, playing the first leg of the Champions League knock-out stages against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Red Devils started the game confidently, but a resilient Paris side kept the attacking threat at bay in the first period. In the second half however, Paris, led by Kylian Mbappé, turned it on and dazzled the 74,000 fans with an impressive two-goal display. Goals from international colleagues Mbappé and Kimpembe secured a lead they would take back to Paris for the return leg.
