Champions League Recap: Girona's Error Leads to PSG Win

Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over FC Girona on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes.

The Parisians had six total shots in the first half, but Luis Enrique and his squad couldn't find the back of the net. On the other side, Girona didn't have any shots in the first 45 minutes but headed into the dressing room with a scoreless result at halftime.

In the second half, the Parisians' total shots increased to 20 as they sought to break the 0-0 deadlock. Despite the boosted shot total, PSG failed to convert their scoring chances.  

A scoreless draw looked imminent, with a score of 0-0 late in the second half, but one goal would come. Even though Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made five saves for the Spanish side to keep PSG off the scoresheet, it would be the 32-year-old's mistake leading to the match's only goal.

The shot from PSG's Nuno Mendes in the 90th minute deflected, and while Gazzaniga still grasped the ball, it went through his arms and legs as the ball trickled past the goal line for an own goal.

Following the win, Enrique spoke postgame at his press conference and noted what he liked from the PSG squad and what they can improve, considering it was the first Champions League match of the competition.

"I think the match was tough for us, mostly because we were imprecise. Starting a competition like this, you can't afford to miss easy passes, and Girona defended really well, showing why they qualified for the Champions League. They managed to break through our press a few times."

"We had 70 percent possession tonight against a team that's usually the one controlling the ball, and I believe they have a real chance to go further in the competition. I really liked our second half — we picked up the pace both technically and physically, and we created two or three good chances to score. Girona felt the pressure."

PSG will look to extend its winning streak to six matches when the reigning Ligue 1 leaders travel to Stade Auguste-Delaune II to face Stade de Reims on Saturday night.

Photo credit: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

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