Paris Saint-Germain comfortably booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 win on aggregate against Bayer Leverkusen after a 2-1 win at Parc des Princes.
The German side gave themselves early hope of a dramatic comeback when Sidney Sam headed in after just six minutes, but PSG were level not long later through Marquinhos's header from a corner.
In the second half Ezequiel Lavezzi put the contest beyond doubt with a low striker, before Emre Can was shown his second yellow card and sent off.
Read how the action unfolded with our live text commentary below.
Good evening all. The Champions League continues to tonight and we have PSG against Bayer Leverkusen for you right here. The French side lead 4-0 from the first leg in Germany and it will take a minor miracle from Sami Hyypia's men to turn this around.
It was, frankly, a disastrous night for Bayer three weeks ago as they not only conceded four goals at home, but they also lost Emir Spahic to a red card. The pressure is completely off them tonight and with an early goal you just never know. But, surely not... It will be interesting to see whether Hyypia rests any players.
Speaking of which, let's take a look at the team news shall we? Yes, we shall.
PSG XI: Sirigu; Jallet, Silva, Marquinhos, Digne; Rabiot, Cabaye, Pastore; Cavani, Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic
BAYER XI: Leno; Donati, Wollscheid, Toprak, Guardado; Reinartz, Rolfes, Can; Castro, Derdiyok, Sam
PSG subs: Douchez, Alex, Maxwell, Camara, Motta, Lucas, Menez
Bayer subs: Yelldell, Boenisch, Oztunali, Brandt, Hilbert, Kiessling, Son
Laurent Blanc certainly isn't resting on his laurels with that lineup. There are a couple of big names rested, namely Maxwell at left-back and Lucas Moura, but boy does he want more goals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi all start up front which is a trio capable of hurting absolutely any defence.
Hyypia has decided to bench Stefan Kiessling for the second time in three games, with Eren Derdiyok coming in to start up front. There is also no Son Heung-Min, who is also a sub, with Gonzalo Castro playing on the left of the attacking three. Looking at the two teams you would expect another comfortable PSG win, but the away team will be looking to prove that three weeks ago was a one-off.
IN-FORM: @PSG_inside's @Ibra_official has scored 39 goals in his last 32 appearances for club and country. #UCL pic.twitter.com/5VnrYRGljt
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 12, 2014
Ibrahimovic is on brilliant form as you can see from the tweet just there. It's not just form though, is it? He's just that good. He scored a penalty and an absolute belter from range in the last game and will want to add to that here. With him playing PSG have the capability to beat anyone, and that probably includes Bayern Munich too.
Even without Blaise Matuidi, Marco Verratti and Gregory van der Wiel this PSG side looks very strong and it would be something of a surprise should they not extend their 4-0 lead. Of course, the games still need to be played and Bayer, although inconsistent, do have some good players. Sidney Sam - who is leaving at the end of the season - will be key on the counter this evening.
Just a reminder that this is not the only tie taking place tonight. Here at SM we also have Barcelona vs. Manchester City. The Spaniards, remember, are 2-0 up from the first leg and a similar upset is required at Camp Nou as is here in Paris. You can follow that one right here.
The #Leverkusen players getting ready to pull off a miracle? Stranger things have happened #PSGB04 pic.twitter.com/ciCT10giio
— Bundesliga (@Bundesliga_EN) March 12, 2014
I'm sure stranger things have indeed happened, Bundesliga. I'm just trying to think of one now. Nope. I'll get back to you. It's quite amazing that until recently Bayer were second in the Bundesliga, but they are a long way short of the required standard for the knockout stages. Even Manchester United thrashed them in the group...
But they do have a chance to at least get some credibility back following the defeat three weeks ago. A draw would have to go down as a good result here, but with only one points from 12 in the league to add to PSG's win last time, they do not have the benefit of form.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been directly involved in (goals & assists) 50% of PSG's Champions League goals this season. pic.twitter.com/KiUED1dV2l
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 12, 2014
So with just under 10 minutes to go until kickoff, let's take a peek at the odds. PSG can be backed at around 1/2, while Bayer are back at 15/2. Looking at that I would be very tempted to get behind the French side as they still have a very strong lineup tonight.
PREDICTION: You won't be surprised, then, to see that I fancy the French side for victory tonight. I don't think it will be as humiliating for Bayer as last week, but I can see 2-0 or maybe 3-1 for PSG. Whatever happens, PSG will surely get through. Just over five minutes to go then.
The players are out and we're almost ready to go. From a selfish, neutral point of view I hope Bayer can get one or even two early goals to make this one a contest. No-one (except PSG fans) wants to see a procession here...
KICKOFF: The home side get us underway at Parc des Princes then, and immediately start zipping it about the back, keeping the ball. Do Bayer have a chance? Perhaps of winning the game, but certainly not to qualify.
SAVE! Good early strike there from Can, who tries to curl one in from around 25 yards, but Sirigu is down well to tip it wide. I think it might have been missing anyway, but he had to make sure.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Bayer (Sidney Sam)
Well, well, well! Bayer work a really good passing move with Castro putting it wide to Donati. He clips in an excellent cross where Sam rises high to head low and past Sirigu. Game on?
Well, PSG have seen plenty of the ball but as the goal showed it's Bayer who have looked the most threatening side on the counter. If there was any complacency that goal will surely have knocked it out of PSG now, although another one and Bayer will really start to believe.
The away fans are certainly in good voice, while PSG's supporters are a little quiet. There have been a couple of loose balls from both teams in the last few minutes, but no further chances. As it stands Bayer need just three goals. Just.
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Bayer (Marquinhos)
Now that's the blow for Bayer that will surely see PSG through. The corner is met by Marquinhos and in truth Leno, moving to his left, might have done better there. It's in, though, and Bayer are back to needing four. No extra time now either.
That is magical from Ibrahimovic! He drops deep to collect the ball then found Pastore to his right through the legs of an opponent. You can hear "oohhh" from the crowd and for good reason too.
OFF THE BAR! You would put money on Zlatan to score there! He's played in and goes for the delicate chip - it beats Leno but comes back into play off the crossbar. His touch is wonderful and really deserved a goal there.
It's all Zlatan at the moment and this time he goes for goal from the corner of the box around 25 yards out. However, he got it all wrong and the ball sailed comfortably over the bar.
PSG are comfortable now since their equaliser. We haven't seen a lot of Cavani so far, indeed he's being outshone by Zlatan - but who doesn't? Rolfes puts in a cross after a rare bit of possession but it's headed away and the visitors will have to start again.
PENALTY TO LEVERKUSEN!
SAVED!
Jallet goes into the book for tugging Derdiyok when he was clean through - he cannot complain. Up steps the visiting skipper Rolfes and it was a really bad penalty as Sirigu only needs to fall to his left to push it away. You just did not fancy him to score.
That was something of a let-off for PSG as it was a really poor decision by Jallet to pull back Derdiyok. Had Rolfes scored then there was still enough time for Bayer, but just as the quick equaliser was, that is a painful blow for the Germans.
PSG definitely do look sloppy, and a lot of that could well be to do with the somewhat unfamiliar midfield. Rabiot is not earning himself a regular spot at the moment. Cabaye, too, is misplacing a lot of passes.
The hosts are finally getting on top of the game for a sustained spell. Lavezzi is almost in but a slightly poor first touch lets Wollscheid in to win the ball from him and clear. Blanc does not look happy on the sidelines.
SAVE! that's the first hint of Cavani there. He's found by Ibrahimovic and spins superbly with his first touch, but Leno is down to make the save. Brilliant pass, excellent turn, poor finish.
Digne has done well up against Sam when the Bayer man has operated from the right. He's quick and is getting stronger, too, and will certainly be one of the world's best left-back one day. No chances since Cavani's a few minutes ago and we're edging towards the break.
It looks likely that this one will stay level until the break. Bayer cannot be too disappointed with their performance, but will look at the penalty and the goal conceded and think that they could be 2-0 up instead.
HALF-TIME: PSG 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
So it's half time and the game is finely balanced. Of course, the tie is not with PSG 5-1 ahead. On six minutes there was a hint of hope when Sam scored, but the equaliser fairly quickly put paid to that. Bayer have been much, much better, however.
Leno might have done better from Marquinhos's header that went in and Rolfes also missed a penalty, which means it could be 4-2 instead of 5-1 overall. Hyypia must be thinking if his side had only played like this in the first leg.
An update from Camp Nou then and it's 0-0 at the break in that one. Barcelona have come close but haven't managed to score and Manchester City remain just about in it at 2-0 down on aggregate.
We're back underway then for the second half. I don't think there have been any changes at the break for either team. It's the visitors who get things started again.
BOOKING: No chances as yet in the half, but it's PSG who have seen most of the ball in the opening stages. Zlatan has already shown one superb piece of control, as Derdiyok is booked for clattering into Jallet late. The right-back controlled poorly and the striker is penalised for a high boot on him.
BOOKING: Decent bit of passing play on the edge of the box between Sam and Castro. It's eventually fizzed wide to Donati but the cross is blocked. Then there's a coming together between Donati and Digne, and it's the Bayer man who gets booked. Somewhat harshly, I feel. In fact it might have been Rolfes who got booked for dissent.
GOAL! PSG 2-1 Leverkusen (Ezequiel Lavezzi)
That's a really decent goal for PSG, but a poor one to concede. Digne skins Can far too easily and he picks out Lavezzi with a pull-back and the Argentinian fires it in low for 2-1. The turnaround is complete and PSG can take it easy now. They have already, really.
SAVE! What a brilliant stop from Sirigu! Donati is played in to the right of goal and fires at the opposite bottom corner, but the Italian manages to tip it wide. Could well be 2-2 that.
SAVE! Decent effort there from Castro from range, but Sirigu gets down well to push it away.
It has been a competitive game tonight for one that has essentially been a dead rubber. Leverkusen are well on top of things at the moment, but aren't getting too many genuine chances. Guardado overhits a cross when well placed and Cabaye brings it away.
PSG SUB: Lavezzi, who scored the second, makes way for Lucas Moura. There will be no let-up for the Bayer defence, then. I'm surprised that Zlatan hasn't been rested yet.
MISS! You don't see a finish like that often from Ibrahimovic! Pastore managed to slip the ball through to him and on his left foot - under pressure, in fairness - he spoons it over the bar.
CHANCE! Real chance there for Derdiyok, who was played in down the left but saw his powerful shot blocked by Sirigu and behind for a corner. He has played well, but has lacked the finishing so far.
BAYER SUBS: Julian Brandt comes on for Sam, while Son takes to the pitch for Castro.
RED CARD! Emre Can is off! He picks up his second yellow, and this time it's for a dive. Poor dive it was, too. You can't do that and while it wasn't the worst dive you will see it must start getting punished.
PSG SUB: Zlatan does now come off. He has shown one or two glorious touches, but now gets a rest as Menez is on for him. The PSG fans do love him and he gets a huge reception.
Dreadful slash there from Pastore as he puts the ball high and wide from the left side of the box. The Argentinian has had better games, that is for sure. Just over 15 minutes left to play and this one is certainly over as a contest.
Leverkusen are being forced to defend quite a lot now that they are down to 10 men. Jallet and Digne are playing as wingers now, with crosses coming in from all angles. The German side are dealing with them well at the moment.
BAYER SUB: Big moment here for the club's Under-19 captain Max Wagener, who comes on for Reinartz for Champions League playing time.
BOOKING: Rabiot gets carded for a late tackle on Son, which about sums up his night so far.
Just a quick update from Camp Nou. The deadline was broken with 20 minutes left and crucially it was Barcelona who scored. Lionel Messi with the goal and the Spaniards are 3-0 up on aggregate now.
CHANCE! Pastore should score as he shoots at the near post, but the simple ball was across goal where Cavani would have tapped in. Zoumana Camara now comes on for the Uruguayan, who was disappointing.
Not much urgency now for PSG to add another goal, which is fair enough really. The second goal for the hosts ended any hope that Leverkusen had of getting back in this, but they have performed a lot better tonight.
There will be three minutes of time added on at the end here. Enough time for a goal, but I can't see one.
BOOKING: Wagener gets booked on his first team debut for an overenthusastic linge. From the free kick Rabiot headed goalwards but Leno hangs on.
FULL-TIME: PSG 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
So it's a cruise in the end for PSG after that early scare, and they were more than too good for Bayer. The Germans restored some pride tonight, but it is the French side who make the quarter-finals.
Thanks for joining me tonight. Please do stick around for analysis and reaction from tonight's football, but from me it's goodbye.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
