Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) edged out Girona 1-0 in their Champions League debut match at Parc des Princes, thanks to a dramatic late error by Girona's goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga. The match, held on September 19, 2024, was a closely contested affair, with the only goal of the game coming in the 90th minute when Gazzaniga mishandled a low cross from PSG's Nuno Mendes, allowing the ball to slip into the net.
Throughout the game, Girona's defense put up a strong resistance, effectively neutralizing PSG's attacking threats for much of the match. The visitors' disciplined defensive performance frustrated the home crowd, leading to visible frustration and boos as Girona employed time-wasting tactics to preserve their clean sheet. Despite several late opportunities for PSG, including chances for Randal Kolo Muani and Achraf Hakimi, the team struggled to break through until Gazzaniga's costly mistake.
This narrow victory is part of PSG's impressive home record in the Champions League group stages. Since the 2012-13 season, the French side has lost only one of their last 37 home games, boasting 29 wins and 7 draws. Parc des Princes continues to be a fortress for PSG, with only one of the last 29 visiting teams managing to secure a victory there.
The result underscores PSG's resilience and the challenge for visiting teams at their home ground. Despite the fortune involved in this particular win, PSG's solid track record at home in the Champions League group stages remains a significant factor in their quest for European success.
