By losing against Botafogo on the night of Thursday to Friday (0-1), Paris Saint-Germain missed the opportunity to compost its ticket for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.
It is not yet summer, but the Parisians
have been immersed in the stifling heat of California since their arrival in America for the Club World Cup. In the sweet euphoria of their European coronation, Luis Enrique's men launched their campaign perfectly by signing a successful success against Atlético de Madrid on Sunday for their entry into the tournament (4-0).
For this second match against Botafogo, Luis Enrique had logically turned to avoid an overly intense sequence. Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Senny Mayulu joined the starting eleven. No risk was taken with Ousmane Dembélé, still absent from the match sheet. But these experiments have not been without consequences. The Parisians were showered by a more realistic Botafogo team.
PSG surprised against the course of the game
The scenario of this balance of power was frustrating for European champions. Despite an overwhelming domination, symbolized by the incessant percussion of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on his left flank, the men of Luis Enrique were surprised against the course of the game on a counter concluded by Igor Jesus (0-1, 33rd). The entries of Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Nuno Mendes accentuated the pressure in one last half hour, but the score has no longer evolved. Botafogo achieves a big blow and validates his qualification for the knockout stages. Fallen into a trap, PSG will wait on Monday and its third match against Seattle Sounders to compost its ticket. Bouncing after a snack in the group stage is a mission that European champions know perfectly.
