PARIS (AP) — Mamadou Koulibaly’s red card cost Monaco dearly as they drew 2-2 with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and lost 5-4 on aggregate in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs on Wednesday.
Monaco were leading 1-0 when the 21-year-old midfielder was shown a second yellow card in the 59th minute for a foul on tricky winger Hviča Kvaratscheria, leveling the score at 3-3 on aggregate.
PSG captain Marquinhos scored the equalizer with a free kick, and six minutes later Kvaratschelia gave PSG a 2-1 lead. Jourdan Tezé scored an equalizer in stoppage time, but it was too late for Monaco.
“Certainly, like the (red) card in the first match, I think it was (a turning point),” Monaco coach Sebastian Pocognoli said. “For me, it wasn’t natural (to be sent off). The two yellow cards came within five minutes, and the second one was tough.”
PSG won first time Last year, but before that Eliminated from the top 16 This is the fifth time in eight years. Until Koulibaly was sent off, PSG looked nervous and Monaco were beginning to take control of the game.
“We want to know them. We beat them (1-0 in the league), we played them with 10 men and lost or drew,” he said, referring to Monaco’s red card early in the second half last Tuesday. “We look for weaknesses within their great qualities, and I think we did that pretty well. We made the most of what they gave us.”
However, Koulibaly made a late tackle on Kvaratschelia on the touchline, which completely changed PSG’s momentum.
Shortly after, PSG tied the score.
A quick free-kick was taken on the right and Marquinhos turned home Desiree Douai’s cross from close range.
Kvaratskhelia scored from close range after right-back Achraf Hakimi’s 20-metre shot was deflected down the path by Philip Cohn. Hakimi was playing the day after receiving his orders. stand trial for rape on tuesday.
Monaco leads 2-0 in the first leg Last week they surrendered due to poor defending, but they regained the lead against the Parc des Princes with fleet-footed winger Magnes Akrios scoring just before half-time.
As Monaco changed play from right to left, Brazilian left-back Caio Henrique passed inside to Koulibaly, who passed to Acrios, who scored with his wide foot, which hit the left post.
Koulibaly had missed a great chance early in the game, scoring side-footed from close range after Akurios entered the bottom left of the penalty area and teed up near the penalty spot with a superb shot.
“I have two emotions. The first is pride. I told the players that if we can give PSG any doubts, it’s already a success,” Pocognoli said. “Secondly, it’s a little frustrating. If we had finished with 11 players, what would have happened?”
PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted his team struggled at times.
“We’re not used to teams coming here and playing like us. It was very difficult in the first half,” he said. “But what we showed this season is our resiliency and ability to come back.”
PSG will face either five-time champions Barcelona or two-time champions Chelsea in the last 16.
Akuriosh shines in Monaco
Akryosh He is playing for France’s World Cup squad and his performance may have boosted his chances.
The skilful 24-year-old midfielder joined the French national team last September and scored against Azerbaijan two months later.
Last season he great overhead kick He appeared for Monaco in a Ligue 1 match, rising to meet Vandersson’s cross from the right, twisting in the air and volleying the ball in with his left foot.
Akuriosh also represented France in the finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
