Joe Cole explains why Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma give PSG 'glimmer of hope' against Bayern Munich
ByTNT Sports
Updated 16/02/2023 at 08:59 GMT
Some have argued that PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could have done better with the goal scored by Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman in the first leg of their Champions League knockout clash. However, BT Sport’s Joe Cole says that the Italian will be one of two key players for the return leg, along with Spanish centre-back Sergio Ramos, if PSG are going to get through the tie.
'Total dominance in first half' - Nagelsmann after Bayern beat PSG 1-0
If PSG are to get through their Champions League last 16 clash against Bayern Munich then Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma will be vital, says BT Sport’s Joe Cole.
PSG lost the first leg at the Parc des Princes 1-0, as Bayern took a lead back to Germany thanks to a fine volley from Parisien Kingsley Coman.
The product of the PSG academy struck the only goal of the game, with Donnarumma coming in for some criticism for his role in the goal, but former England and Chelsea winger Cole said that the goalkeeper will be key for the return leg.
Cole also highlighted former Real Madrid defender Ramos, saying that these two players can be the difference between the early exits of previous years for the Paris side and how this team’s tale ends.
“It does feel like that,” Cole said in response to BT host Jake Humphrey, who suggested this felt like it had hallmarks of other seasons for PSG. “But I’ll put an asterisk on that for PSG fans, for Messi fans.
“The last 20 minutes they put the burners on. [Kylian] Mbappe came on and they made two or three chances and they could have won the game, let alone drawn the game, because they had moments.
“The difference with this PSG team... which is why I think they’ve got a glimmer of hope, two reasons.
"One is Sergio Ramos is back playing at the top of his game and in Donnarumma, I think they’ve got an outstanding keeper.
“Those two will have to be outstanding in the second leg.”
At this point former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand pointed out to Cole that Donnarumma could have done better with the goal.
Cole responded: “He could have done better for the goal yes, but he kept them in it.”
The result was the latest in a disappointing string for PSG since they returned to league action following the World Cup break.
They have suffered defeats to Lens, Rennes and Monaco in the league, as well as this defeat to Bayern and getting knocked out of the French Cup by Marseille.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/02/15/3556524-72439653-2560-1440.jpg)
Galtier convinced PSG can still make it through despite 1-0 home defeat to Bayern
The result is that PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 has been slashed to just five points, with Marseille hot on their heels in second place. Monaco are just two points further back of the south-coast club with Lens another point behind that.
Bayern are also struggling relative to their usual dominance. They are just a point ahead of second-placed Union Berlin, with Borussia Dortmund in third just two points behind the Bundesliga’s surprise package.
Share this article