How has Gundogan played in this role? He used to spell Rodri there when at City. Pep once started him in a CL final as a pivot 6.
I was super down on Gundo during the early part of the season, but he really picked it up once Christensen started playing DMF. The club's fucked finances and ego has led them to the point where they have a pretty solid squad all over, but lack a true starter at DMF. That's why Roberto started today. And TBF, in the first half Barca were the better side and it was in part because they controlled the MF through possession and were countering very effectively.
OTOH, I feel like Lucho's (and Mbappe, and Vitinho, and Lee Kang In) halftime speech (and very much needed changes) was basically like, "hey guys, you see #20 over there? I know he crushed the club's spirit a decade ago, but like, he's old and terrible. Go at him." The first goal wasn't really on Roberto (what the actual fuck MATS?!?), but the second goal was painful to watch, and I was basically holding my breath until Roberto came off.
Speaking of Lucho, WTF was he doing in the first half? Asensio looked terrible and taking Marquinhos out of the middle let Lewa dominate that key area in the first half, and it's not like he was particularly good at shutting down Raph on the right. Hernandez is a fine player, but a CB he is not.
Since I don't watch much PSG, I want to shout out Barcola and LKI as both looked really skilled on the ball and were threatening in the way modern football values. Methinks we're going to be hearing about both of those guys a lot this summer (read: EPL suitors), but they're locked into longterm deals, but are due for pay raises at a minimum. Vitinha also looked very good in possession.
Getting Hakimi back for the 2nd leg is immense. I'm also surprised Kolo Muani hasn't played much this season. He seems like an immense talent and is 25! Same goes for DMF Ugarte, who's 23.
Finally, I think 2 other Barca players deserve a ton of praise for their performance. First, Kounde did about as well as anyone possibly can against Mbappe. They're France NT mates, so he's probably gone up against him a ton in training, but to do it on the biggest club stage--wow. Lewa was also immense tonight. He was the pressure release valve all night, fought like a madman all over, and his offball movement led to both goals from open play.