PSG vs Napoli: what we learned

The group of death; the most entertaining group in the Champions League this year; call it what you want, Group C continues to deliver. Here are three key takeaways from PSG-Napoli

PSG saved their hopes for Champions League qualification after securing a late if undeserved point against a brave Napoli side. Here’s what we learned from the game.

PSG still spluttering in the big games

PSG had a topsy-turvy 90 minutes against Napoli.

After losing to Liverpool in the first week, they knew they had to win this one against Napoli to strengthen their chances of qualification to the knockout rounds.

But 45 minutes in, they were 1-0 down and went into the dressing room a shadow of their free-flowing best Ligue 1 fans have been used to this season.

Carlo Ancelotti showed once again why he is one of the best (if not the best) managers still in the game after he outclassed his rival Thomas Tuchel in the tactics department.

Napoli were brave in possession and weren’t afraid to attack PSG, and took a deserved lead courtesy of Lorenzo Insigne.

When the second half began, PSG changed their set up and attacked, but couldn’t really find a way through until a fortuitous own goal.

There was a sense that the pressure had been building until that point, and after the goal went in, PSG should have dominated and continued to attack.

Instead, they were too wary of Napoli’s attacking quality, and gave their opponents too much respect on the ball.

They didn’t close down as they should have; credit has to be given to the Napoli players, who were extremely calm on the ball, passing they’re way out with immense composure, and PSG paid the price.

The reverse fixture at the San Paolo is going to be one of the biggest game for PSG, but they cannot continue playing like this.

After Liverpool crushed Red Star, they will be firm favourites to take control of the group, and so PSG have to go to Naples and win.

On this display, it seems unlikely that that will happen.

Fabian Ruiz is Marek Hamsik’s successor in Napoli’s midfield

Ruiz has had a slow start to life in Italy, but over recent weeks his quality has been making its way to the forefront for the Partenopei.

Ancelotti showed a lot of trust in the player to start him in such a crunch tie in the Champions League, and on his display today, the manager will be very pleased.

Ruiz was everywhere against PSG.

He picked the ball up deep, made some exceptional tackles, rarely gave the ball away, and was a thorn in PSG’s defence throughout the match.

Ruiz showed that he is full of energy, full of quality and adds a completely different degree of dimension to his team’s midfield.

Hamsik built his entire career on these qualities, typified by his late arrivals into the box to score big goals, and under Ancelotti, Ruiz will develop very well.

Ruiz is still very young, and is the latest in a line of Spanish players who have moved to Serie A to play their football.

Ruiz can be moulded into a very fine football player in Italy, which should please Spain manager Luis Enrique.

Enrique has said that he is willing to give new players chances in the team, and with Spain now needing a win in Croatia, it is very likely that Ruiz will be called up during the next international break.

Angel Di Maria quality saves PSG’s bacon

When PSG shifted to a back 3 in the second half, Di Maria found himself as a makeshift left wing back.

The intent was there from the PSG manager – his team would attack in the second half.

It didn’t entirely pan out that way, as Napoli attacked time and time again down that flank, Ruiz and Jose Callejon the main influencers.

But when the time called for it, and PSG were chasing the game late in the second half, Di Maria suddenly found himself on the right side of the box.

In an Arjen Robben-type move, Di Maria fashioned a little bit of space for himself outside the penalty box and fired into the top corner.

Even when PSG’s main attackers, Neymar, Kyllian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani all have off days, PSG have such strength in quality.

Di Maria showed exactly that with his outstanding finish that has truly saved PSG’s Champions League campaign.

Napoli will be gutted by the late concession of the goal, but sometimes, no team in the world can defend against quality like that.

Group C is now the most intriguing group after this result, and the reverse fixture in Naples will be decisive for both teams.

PSG have Di Maria to thank for that.