Paris settle for second after Ludogorets draw
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Article summary
Paris's blushes were spared against Ludogorets by Ángel Di María's late equaliser, but the 2-2 draw and Arsenal's victory over Basel knocked the French side off the top of Group A.
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Paris Saint-Germain twice came from behind to draw at home against Ludogorets Razgrad – a result that cost the hosts top spot in UEFA Champions League Group A and sealed third place for the Bulgarian side.
Unai Emery's Paris were under pressure to deliver a response to their weekend humbling in Montpellier, but in Ludogorets they found an oppponent in no mood to oblige.
A combination of wasteful finishing and lax defending cost the Ligue 1 team, who fell behind when the unmarked Virgil Misidjan nodded in Natanael's left-wing cross.
Thiago Silva headed against the upright for Paris just after the half-hour mark. Their pressure told, however, when Edinson Cavani dispatched an overhead kick past Vladislav Stoyanov, only for Wanderson to restore the Eagles' advantage after Marquinhos lost possession from a throw-in.
Deep into added time, Ángel Di María turned in substitute Layvin Kurzawa's pass. Arsenal's 4-1 victory away to Basel, though, meant the equaliser was scant consolation.
Key player: Wanderson (Ludogorets)
The little Brazilian is always Ludogorets' man for the big occasion. He scored a stunning volley versus Steaua two years ago to send that play-off tie into extra time, while in this season's third qualifying round he registered a hat-trick in the away leg against Crvena Zvezda.
With his movement, skill and shooting ability he can always deliver. His goal could have been the winner at Parc des Princes, but his overall contribution was enormous nonetheless.
Areas to address
Paris lacked that clinical finish and maybe a little bit of luck. However, if the French title holders are to enjoy a sustained run in the competition they must erase their lapses in concentration at the back while being more ruthless in front of goal.
Paris caught cold again
After conceding in the 16th minute away to Ludogorets on matchday two, Paris ought to have known all about the threat posed by Georgi Dermendzhiev's men – and yet they fell behind a minute earlier than in Sofia.
The Paris defence made it all too easy for Misidjan, and suddenly Emery's team faced another uphill task. Whether that was due to complacency or a drop in confidence following the Montpellier loss is a moot point, but to then trail for a second time was even more alarming.
Reporters' views
Chris Burke, Paris (@UEFAcomChrisB)
This ought to have been the perfect opportunity for Paris to get themselves back on track after their weekend reverse, but that scenario was quickly torn up by a side they will be happy to see the back of.
Emery and his charges can expect a lot of criticism and will now have to summon a reply when they tackle Ligue 1 leaders Nice on Sunday – while hoping for a favourable round of 16 draw despite being runners-up.
Stoyan Georgiev, Ludogorets (@UEFAcomStoyanG)
Ludogorets have made another piece of history – they have become the first Bulgarian club to advance from a UEFA Champions League group, albeit in third position. And they really deserved it too. Dermendzhiev's troops fought bravely in every game, even the 6-0 defeat in London against Arsenal.
Two years ago they finished bottom of a section containing Real Madrid, Liverpool and Basel, but this achievement shows they have moved up a level, despite collecting one point fewer.