PSG thrashes Brest and guarantees an advantage in the Champions League playoffs
Vitinha opens the scoring from the penalty spot, and Dembélé has a great game, scoring two goals. The return leg will be on the 19th, at the Parc des Princes.
IT’S BECOME DIFFICULT FOR NEWCOMERS
Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 3-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. At the Stade du Roundourou, the visitors opened the scoring with Vitinha scoring from the penalty spot. Dembélé was the star of the match with two goals , which put the French side ahead in the race for a place in the round of 16.
SITUATION IN THE PLAYOFFS
Brest’s victory gave Paris Saint-Germain a big advantage. In their first appearance in a European competition, Éric Roy’s team will need to win by more than three goals to advance to the round of 16. In the event of a draw, there will be extra time and then penalties.
THE ENLIGHTENED DEMBÉLÉ
Dembélé’s great performance against Brest continues a glorious run of form for the French forward this season. He has scored 23 goals in 28 games for Paris Saint-Germain, 15 of which have come in the last nine matches alone. The number 10 is PSG’s top scorer in the 2024/25 season, with eight more goals than second-placed Bradley Barcola.
HOW WAS THE GAME?
The first half between PSG and Brest started off slow, with few chances for either side. Dembélé was the one who changed the game. In the 17th minute, Lees-Melou put his arm on the ball after a shot from the number 10. The referee awarded the penalty after a VAR review, and Vitinha scored with a shot from the corner. The newcomers weren’t playing well, but they had good chances due to mistakes by Paris. Like a long shot from Donnaruma under pressure, which hit Ajorque’s head and grazed the post. Or when Hakimi tried to block a pass and almost scored an own goal. In the final stretch of the first half, Hakimi passed the ball to Dembélé. He carried it into the area, pulled it towards the middle and hit the corner past goalkeeper Bizot.
Three minutes after the break, Dembélé participated in a fast counterattack and sent a through ball to Barcola . The number 23 entered the area unmarked and passed it to Doué to score on the right, but the move was disallowed for Barcola being offside. Dembélé closed the scoring in the 20th minute of this half. He built the play from the middle to the area and tried to pass to Barcola, who returned the ball to the defense. Dembélé took advantage of a mistake by the defenders, stole the ball and shot a cross into the corner of Bizot’s goal.
