PSG Advances To Champions League Semis Despite Loss

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has secured its place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, but the journey to get there was anything but straightforward. On April 16, 2025, PSG faced Aston Villa in the second leg of the quarter-finals at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. Despite losing the match 2-3, PSG advanced with a 5-4 aggregate score thanks to their earlier 3-1 victory in the first leg.

Coach Luis Enrique's squad started the match with confidence, fielding a strong lineup that included Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, and a defense comprising Nuno Mendes, William Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi. The midfield featured Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves, while the attacking trio consisted of Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Notably absent from the pitch was Lee Kang-in, who remained on the bench throughout the match.

PSG took control early, with Hakimi scoring the first goal in the 11th minute. Barcola's cross was mishandled by Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, allowing Hakimi to capitalize and put PSG ahead. Just 17 minutes later, in the 28th minute, Mendes doubled PSG's lead after a quick counter-attack, making it 2-0 and pushing the aggregate score to 5-1. At this point, it seemed like PSG was comfortably on their way to the semi-finals.

However, Aston Villa was not ready to concede defeat. The home side struck back in the 34th minute when Youri Tielemans’ shot deflected off Pacho and found the net, reducing the aggregate score to 5-2 as the first half ended with PSG leading 2-1.

The second half saw Villa come out with renewed vigor. Just ten minutes in, John McGinn scored a stunning long-range shot that deflected off a defender, leveling the score at 2-2 and bringing the aggregate to 5-3. This goal injected life into the Villa crowd, who sensed a potential comeback.

Villa continued to apply pressure, and in a dramatic turn of events, they took the lead in the 58th minute. Marcus Rashford's corner kick was expertly set up for Ezri Konsa, who scored from a cutback pass, making the score 3-2 for Villa and narrowing the aggregate to 5-4. PSG was now in a precarious position, needing to defend their slim lead.

In response to the mounting pressure, Coach Enrique made tactical substitutions, bringing on De Zaire to regain control of the midfield. Villa, on the other hand, was relentless; they made four substitutions, including Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins, to bolster their attacking options.

Despite Villa's aggressive push for an equalizer, PSG's defense, led by Donnarumma, held firm. The goalkeeper made crucial saves, including a one-on-one opportunity against Asensio in the 70th minute, preserving PSG's lead. Villa continued to threaten, but their efforts were thwarted by a combination of solid defending and missed opportunities.

As the match drew to a close, Villa's attempts to find a fourth goal were met with resilience from PSG. The final whistle blew, confirming PSG's advancement to the semi-finals despite the 2-3 loss in the second leg. The aggregate score of 5-4 was enough to see them through.

Lee Kang-in’s absence from the pitch raised eyebrows, especially considering his earlier contributions during the group stages, including a starting appearance against Manchester City. However, under Enrique's leadership, he has found himself sidelined during crucial knockout matches. This has sparked speculation about his future with the club, with reports emerging from French media outlet Foot01 suggesting that Kang-in may seek a transfer this summer if his situation does not improve.

"Lee Kang-in has begun to find himself excluded from coach Enrique's plans, which raises the possibility of him leaving PSG in the summer transfer window," the report stated. It further emphasized that while Kang-in has performed well at PSG, he has not established himself as a guaranteed starter under the current management.

As PSG prepares for the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid match. This marks another step in their pursuit of European glory, a goal that has eluded them in recent seasons. Last year, they fell short in the semi-finals against Borussia Dortmund, and they will be keen to make amends this time around.

In contrast, Aston Villa's impressive run in the Champions League came to an end, marking their first quarter-final appearance in 42 years. Despite the loss, Villa's performance throughout the tournament showcased their potential on the European stage.

As the Champions League progresses, all eyes will be on PSG to see if they can capitalize on their experience and talent to finally clinch the elusive title. Meanwhile, the future of Lee Kang-in remains uncertain as he navigates his role within one of Europe's elite clubs.