Paris Saint-German hosted Napoli this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in France for the third round of the UEFA Champions League Group Stages. The French side knew it would be a tough mission against a Napoli who are aware of its own limits but play with their hearts.
Both teams started the match studying each other, as they knew an early goal could be disastrous. Neymar was very discrete and Edinson Cavani wanted to wake him up with a bizarre foul on his own team-mate. Of course, it was not on purpose, maybe just anxiety for scoring. However, Napoli started to take control of the game and after the 20th minute, Napoli began a blitz on the Parisian defense and a goal seemed to be a matter of time.
At the 29th, the Italians broke the deadlock. Jose Callejon picked Lorenzo Insigne up with a good pass as the Italian striker ran faster than the home side defense and looped the ball over French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. 0-1 Napoli.
PSG’s front three seemed nonexistent and Thomas Tuchel knew he needed to make their players change their minds, or the defeat would be inevitable.
The French side returned better after the break as Napoli looked like they would play to secure the minimal advantage. However, their plans got frustrated.
At the 60th minute, Thomas Meunier received the ball on the right wing and attempted to cross to Cavani. However, Mario Rui’s clearance attempt ended up as an own goal. 1-1.
At the 76th the Italians bounced back once again. Fabian Ruiz shoot from distance, and the ball deflected off Marquinhos and Dries Mertens was at the right place at the right time, to fire home past Areola. 1-2 Napoli
The result was great for the Italians and everything was conspiring for a victory away, which would secure the first place of the Group. However, at the 93rd minutes, substitute Julian Draxler gave it to Angel Di Maria on the edge of the box. The Argentine rescued the precious point in a side-footed effort straight to the far top corner. 2-2
After this dramatic late goal, PSG are still sitting on the third position, as Napoli fell down to second. Both teams will play on this weekend for their respective National leagues. Napoli will travel back to Italy as they host Roma on Sunday as PSG go to Marseille on the same day.