Napoli give PSG another Champs League reality check
PARIS: Napoli gave Paris St Germain another reality check in the Champions League.
Only a superb injury-time equaliser from Angel Di Maria (pic) rescued a 2-2 draw for PSG on Wednesday and saved the French club from a second loss in Group C.
The Argentina winger curled the ball past goalkeeper David Ospina into the top left corner from the edge of the penalty area three minutes into stoppage time.
It was a moment of individual brilliance from one of PSG’s many stars but it did little to mask the many deficiencies in the line-up.
In terms of discipline, tactical nous and concentration, PSG were no match for Napoli.
“We’re unable to stick to our way of playing,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said.
“We need to play more reliably.”
Napoli sliced through PSG’s midfield and punished their defence with alarming ease.
In France, PSG have won 10 straight league games and seems to score for fun.
But in Europe, PSG are winless against the big teams – having lost 3-2 to Liverpool.
“We need to improve, that’s for sure,” Tuchel said.
Despite the equaliser, PSG star Neymar appeared to be frustrated with the result.
The Brazil forward marched straight off without shaking hands with any rival players and kicked a plastic protective casing around a television camera.
“It’s an emotional reaction. He wasn’t happy, he wants to win,” Tuchel said.
“But it wasn’t a lack of respect, not at all.” Forward Lorenzo Insigne put Napoli ahead in the 29th with a cool finish and PSG equalised in the 61st from Napoli defender Mario Rui’s own goal.
Forward Dries Mertens poked home from close range in the 77th after a sloppy mistake from centrehalf Marquinhos, who failed to deal with a ball into the penalty area.
Liverpool easily beat Red Star Belgrade 4-0 in Wednesday’s other match and lead the group with six points.
Napoli have five points and PSG are in third place with four.
“We lost our shape and complicated things,” Tuchel said.
“It’s very hard to come back against a team of such quality but we managed to.”
After failing to get past the last 16 in the past two seasons, another early elimination could be looming unless PSG improves.
The ambitious club, bank-rolled by Qatari cash, still have to face Napoli away and Liverpool at home.
“In my opinion we are not the favourites,” Tuchel said.
“We can’t be surprised ... we knew it would be a very difficult group.”
For Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, it was an enjoyable moment against his former club.
“We deserved to win but that’s what happens against PSG.
“They have players of such quality it only takes one moment to get punished,” he said.
“We stopped them getting into our half too much. We were very compact.”
Napoli dominated the midfield in the first half, winning most tackles. Against such tricky, quick-footed players, it was essential for PSG to close down quickly.
But for the first goal there was no player near Jose Callejon when he passed to Insigne.
Insigne ghosted in behind centrehalf Presnel Kimpembe and astutely lofted the ball over goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as he rushed off his line.
It was a deserved lead for the Italian club, who hit the crossbar through Mertens in the 24th minute.
Kylian Mbappe had the best first-half chance for PSG, bursting through to meet Neymar’s pass but shooting at Ospina’s legs.
But Mbappe had one of his poorest games for PSG, constantly giving the ball away.
At one point, he threw his hands up in the air in frustration.
Ospina made a smart save from Thomas Meunier’s header but was beaten shortly after when Meunier’s low cross was diverted past him by Rui.
PSG striker Edinson Cavani hardly made an impact against his former club – he is fourth on Napoli’s all-time list of scorers – with PSG’s midfield systematically trying to pick out Neymar and Mbappe and leaving him isolated.
Cavani missed an open goal early in the second half – right in front of Napoli’s travelling fans – although the flag was up for offside anyway.