PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 1-1 Newcastle: European champions forced to go through play-offs

PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 1-1 Newcastle: European champions forced to go through play-offs:

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 8, 28/01/26

While even a win on Wednesday night would not necessarily be enough clinch a top-eight spot, Paris Saint-Germain could narrow down the permutations considerably by seeing off Newcastle. Beyond clearing their February schedule, the reigning champions were also looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Lisbon and shake off the lethargy of recent displays.

Within minutes, the hosts showed signs of a renewed drive. Bradley Barcola, who had broken his goal drought against Auxerre a few days beforehand, won a penalty shortly after kick-off with a burst into the box which forced a (rather generous) handball call. Ousmane Dembélé would go on to see his penalty saved by Nick Pope, however.

It didn’t take long for PSG to carve their way through the Magpies again, though, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia setting up Vitinha on the edge of the box for the opening goal. The Portuguese midfielder added a fourth goal to his European tally this season with a precise finish into the bottom corner. It would be Kvaratskhelia’s last contribution of note, though, as the Georgian was forced off with an ankle injury after clashing with Anthony Elanga.

Luis Enrique’s men remained dominant throughout the rest of the first half, but Pope was relatively untroubled by the chances they mustered up. PSG were once again punished for their wastefulness in the final moments of the first half, as Dan Burn headed a free-kick on for Joe Willock to nod in at close range.

The visitors returned for the second half with more confidence, as Willock was only prevented from doubling his tally near the hour mark by an offside call. Newcastle’s willingness to attack did open up more space for PSG, with several chances falling to both Dembélé and Barcola in the following ten minutes.

A lack of incisiveness was again PSG’s undoing, though, as the results elsewhere on the evening saw them drop out of the top eight entirely. A second consecutive defeat on the European stage was an increasingly likely prospect in the closing stages, with Barnes coming closest for the visitors with a header just as Safonov was beaten.

As the reigning champions struggle to rediscover their treble winning form, the criticism of a misfiring frontline will not die down. There was one silver lining for PSG fans minutes after the final whistle, though, as Marseille’s dramatic exit from the competition prompted celebrations in and around the Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain player ratings

Lucas Chevalier, 5

Achraf Hakimi, 6

Marquinhos, 5

Willian Pacho, 6

Nuno Mendes, 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6

Vitinha, 7

Bradley Barcola, 4

Ousmane Dembélé, 3

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, n/a – The Georgian assisted Vitinha’s opening goal, but came off injured halfway through the first half after a challenge for the ball with Elanga. He was replaced by Désiré Doué, whose impact was minimal and mostly contained to the wings.

Selected Newcastle player ratings

Nick Pope, 7

Joe Willock, 7