PSG 2 - 1 Valencia: French side put one foot in Champions League quarters

By MASSIMO MARZOCCHI
Published on 13/02/2013 02:02

PARIS St Germain conceded a late goal and had striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off in added time in a 2-1 win at Valencia.

Their Champions League last-16 first leg at the Mestalla ended in dramatic fashion, leaving the Swedish international banned for the return match at the Parc des Princes.

The Ligue 1 leaders looked to be strolling into the quarter-finals when they took the lead in the tenth minute through Ezequiel Lavezzi and his Argentina team-mate Javier Pastore added a second goal two minutes before half-time.

Valencia improved significantly after coach Ernesto Valverde made a couple of substitutions at the break.

They began moving the ball better and it was no more than they deserved when centre-back Adil Rami surged into the area and volleyed home in the 90th minute.

Ibrahimovic was then shown a straight red card for a wild lunge on the Valencia defender Andres Guardado in the second minute of stoppage time and is now suspended for the second leg. PSG’s latest signing, former England captain David Beckham, watched from the stands.

Valencia: Guaita, Joao Pereira, Rami, Ricardo Costa, Guardado, Feghouli, Ever, Parejo, Tino Costa, Jonas, Soldado. Subs: Diego Alves, Albelda, Piatti, Viera, Haedo Valdez, Victor Ruiz, Canales.

PSG: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell, Lucas Moura, Matuidi, Verratti, Pastore, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi. Subs: Douchez, Camara, Menez, Gameiro, Chantome, Armand, Van Der Wiel.

Referee: P Tagliavento (Italy). Att: 55,000.