Psg - Mónaco: PSG sufre hasta el último minuto pero avanza a octavos

In a match that tested its resolve, psg - mónaco pushed the champion to the limit before Paris Saint-Germain ultimately advanced to the round of 16; the late drama and player absences underlined both vulnerability and continued fighting spirit.

Psg - Mónaco: Late drama at the Parque de los Príncipes

The fragility of PSG's qualification was clear in the final stretch. With a player less on the field, Teze scored the equalizer in the 92nd minute. Three minutes later Faes narrowly missed a chance by mere centimeters that would have forced extra time. Earlier in the match the opponent had been playing with one less since the 58th minute, and the late moments demonstrated how thin the margin for error remained.

First leg echoes and the turning moments

In the first leg the defenders of the title staged an epic comeback against a team reduced by the expulsion of Golovin, a turnaround completed with 48 minutes remaining. In the return at the Parque de los Príncipes PSG did not significantly improve its image against a rival that also had been reduced numerically. Akliouche had put the visitors ahead on the cusp of halftime; only in the second half did Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia reverse the score and clear the path toward qualification.

Luis Enrique's dilemma: protect the lead or press for control

Luis Enrique continues to invoke last season's example of a team recovering from difficulties, but the less-to-more trajectory he cites has so far been slow to materialize. The coach maintains the view that the current dip is circumstantial, though whether it is temporary or structural remains to be tested against top opposition. The match with Mónaco left unanswered questions about style and consistency even as the result advanced PSG onward.

Injuries, missing stars and the squad's spirit

Good, sustained play has not yet appeared for a side weakened by injuries. The team is missing Ballon de Oro Ousmane Dembélé and the Spanish midfield pillar Fabián Ruiz, absences that have affected cohesion. Despite those losses the spirit of fight at the Parque de los Príncipes has not abandoned the squad, a quality that proved decisive in surviving the scare against Mónaco.

What comes next: a very tough test ahead

PSG will face a very tough test in the next phase, where their opponent will be either FC Barcelona or Chelsea. The calendar and match-ups will be defined on Friday morning. The immediate takeaway from the psg - mónaco tie is that advancement was achieved, but meaningful answers about form and durability will depend on how the squad responds when challenged by a rival of greater stature.