Log In

Sports

WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/14/17)

Pin it

Paris Saint-Germain Midfielder Angel Di Maria (2 goals)

After two long months away, the UEFA Champions League finally returned on Tuesday, headlined by a titanic clash between Spanish giant Barcelona and French powerhouse PSG in the Round of 16. PSG is still a relatively young club in soccer terms (created in 1970), but they have dominated Ligue 1 of late, winning the title in four straight seasons. Still, that domestic success has not translated to glory on the European stage, as each of those four seasons ended with quarterfinal exits in the Champions League. As a result of a poor finish to the group stage, PSG finished runner-up in their group and drew Barcelona in the Round of 16. This meant that PSG would likely have to wait at least one more season before cementing themselves as one of Europe’s elite. Or so we thought.

With that being said, PSG certainly turned a lot of heads and proved a lot of doubters wrong on Tuesday, dismantling Barcelona by the score of 4-0 in the first leg, played in Paris. It was one of the worst performances Barca has turned in in recent memory. They were ripped apart defensively and their attack was surprisingly lacking until the game was out of reach in the final moments. It was Angel Di Maria who got the scoring started for PSG, scoring on a majestic free kick in the 18th minute. His goal in the 55th minute was even better, a left-footed curler into the top left corner within the run of play to put his team up 3-0. It was a brace for the birthday boy, who turned 29 years old on Tuesday, and his goals ultimately gave PSG all the momentum they would need to flatten Barcelona. Even after his exquisite performance, Di Maria cautions that the matchup is not over yet, and considering Barcelona’s firepower, he may be right. After all, if anyone is capable of overcoming a 4-0 deficit, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, it’s them. But barring a miracle, Di Maria has put PSG into position to reach yet another Champions League quarterfinal, and this time, the French champions have shown they can beat anyone.

COPYRIGHT ©WEGOTLEAGUES 2016

Log In or Create an account

Skip to toolbar