PSG secured an important 1:2 away win against Valencia in the first leg of the last 16, but nearly threw away a comfortable lead and paid with a late red card for Ibrahimovic.
Beckham witnessed a decent display of his new team from the stands of the sold out Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. Carlo Ancelotti’s PSG side started well with Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi and Pastore. Lavezzi scored the opener in the 10th minute after playing a one-two with Pastore before drilling the ball past Valencia keeper Guaita. PSG defended deep and surprised Valencia with commanding counter-attacks. Valencia didn’t create very much in the first half and hardly tested Sirigu in the PSG goal. Pastore extended the PSG lead just before half-time. PSG had a comfortable lead. Substitute Nelson Valdez forced Sirigu to tip a header over the bar. Valencia’s Rami scored a late 1:2 after a Tino Costa free-kick in the 90th minute. Ibrahimovic made it even worse for PSG as he was sent off with an red card after challenging Guardado.
Paris St-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s red card: “It was a normal tackle and it was nothing special and I was surprised by the red card. We played really well, we have to be happy but at the end it was not good for us. Valencia is a good team, we have played the first half, but now we have to play second half and we have to pay attention.”
PSG looked comfortable over long periods of time, but was lucky to secure the away win at the end. The late Rami goal will give Valencia hope for the second leg on March 6th at the Parc de Princes in Paris.
