In a surprising turn of events, Paris Saint-Germain secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Champions League debutants Girona in a match marked by a crucial mistake. PSG’s win came in stoppage time when goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga allowed a cross from Nuno Mendes to slip under his hands and legs, gifting the French side the victory.

This victory marked PSG’s first Champions League game in over a decade without a star player, commonly referred to as a “galactico.” The team has shifted its focus to promoting French players and emphasizing teamwork over individual star power, following unsuccessful campaigns with star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, and Lionel Messi.

The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who recently joined Real Madrid, was felt during the game. Mbappé was criticized for his lack of defensive contribution while playing for PSG. Coach Luis Enrique expressed his frustration as PSG struggled to close down Girona’s attacks effectively during the match.

Despite dominating possession, PSG struggled to create clear-cut chances against a Girona side that was missing key players from the previous season. An injury to Marco Asensio further hampered PSG’s attacking options as the match progressed.

With the game looking destined for a draw, Gazzaniga’s error in the dying moments gifted PSG all three points. PSG midfielder Vitinha acknowledged the team’s subpar performance, highlighting the need to improve ball retention and overall gameplay moving forward.