There was a compelling clash of heavyweights in Catalonia, some unhappy rumblings at Real and a legend of Azerbaijani football roared
? The viewers. Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain was the final many wanted last season. Wednesday?s group-stage meeting showed why. The fixture did not disappoint, even if, with red tape delaying the opening of the renovated Camp Nou, it was played in the less atmospheric Llu?s Companys Stadium. Luis Enrique?s young Parisians staged a comeback in Catalonia, thanks to their coach?s expert use of his squad. Senny Mayulu, 19, upstaged Lamine Yamal by scoring the equaliser ? Wednesday was the first match this season Yamal had failed to either score or contribute to a goal. Instead, the resurgent Marcus Rashford set up Ferran Torres?s opener for Bar?a. PSG were shorn of Ousmane Demb?l?, D?sir? Dou? and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the forward line that claimed last season?s crown. No matter: 23-year-old Bradley Barcola stepped up as the senior forward and ravaged Hansi Flick?s high-line, high-wire defence. The youngsters kept coming for PSG: 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye was replaced by another ****ager, Quentin Ndjantou, to play alongside the lively Lee Kang-in. In the end, Achraf Hakimi supplied the assist for Gon?alo Ramos, another sub, to score the 90th minute winner and inflict Barcelona?s first loss this season. ?If you?re the best team, you have to show it on the pitch, and not talk,? said Ramos, who habitually scores late goals off the bench. ?We are the champions of Europe.?
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