The dust has barely settled on PSG’s historic back-to-back UEFA Champions League victory, sealed in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Arsenal before a 4-3 penalty shootout triumph in Budapest, when over 15,000 fans took to the digital scorecards to rate every player’s display.
Coach Luis Enrique—now a three-time European champion—was handed a 7.6 by the online voters, a full point and a half above the newspaper’s own assessment, reflecting the public’s enthusiasm for his tactical mastery and leadership in delivering football’s ultimate prize to the Parc des Princes outfit.
Midfield maestro tops the charts
The moment João Neves stepped up after Arsenal’s early opener, the Portuguese dynamo shifted gears. His relentless duels, aerial dominance, and tireless running earned him the highest individual grade of the night—7.2 from the crowd, matching the editors’ own score. Not far behind, club captain Marquinhos and defensive rock Willian Pacho both collected 6.6s, with the Brazilian skipper also securing a 7 from the paper’s critics.
Defensive solidity praised
Paris’s backline drew particular warmth from the virtual terraces. Right-back Achraf Hakimi (6.2) and left-back Nuno Mendes (6.0) were applauded for their composure and defensive work rate, even if the latter’s missed penalty in the shootout drew a slightly harsher 4 from the pros.
Lowest rated capital star
In midfield, Fabian Ruiz (5.8) bore the brunt of early nerves, losing possession and lacking rhythm in the opening exchanges. His substitute Vitinha, forced off with cramps, still managed a 6.4 from the crowd—well clear of the 5 awarded by the press bench. Between the posts, Matveï Safonov collected a 6.2 from fans, outscoring the editorial team’s 5.
Attacking line earns forgiveness
Up front, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé each earned a 6.1, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia walked away with 6.2 after his crucial penalty won the shootout shoot-out and set up the equaliser.
Arsenal’s ratings reflect the disappointment
Across the divide, Arsenal’s average grade was a modest 4.9 versus a 5 from the critics. The most lenient marks went to midfielder Mosquera and winger Trossard (4.4 each), while goalkeeper David Raya (6.1), centre-back William Saliba (5.9), and lone scorer Kai Havertz (5.8) were the Gunners’ standout performers. At the opposite end, Jurrien Timber (4.6), Viktor Gyökeres (4.2), and winger Bukayo Saka (4.5) bore the weight of the defeat. Head coach Mikel Arteta received the lowest mark of all, a 4.1, slightly below the paper’s 4.
