Lucas Hernandez Scores Decisive Goal in Surprise Start Against Barcelona

Lucas Hernandez delivered one of the standout performances of the evening in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday at Parc des Princes. Started unexpectedly by Luis Enrique at left-back in place of Nuno Mendes, the French international had not begun a match in the competition for two years.

Specialist media had anticipated a choice between Warren Zaïre-Emery and Lucas Digne to cover for the Portuguese player’s absence. Luis Enrique once again deviated from the expected scenario, placing his trust in Hernandez. The gamble paid off: the defender contained Lamine Yamal throughout the match before scoring PSG’s second goal at a moment when the club was under pressure.

“Like before every match, the coach gives his team talk and that’s when he told me I was going to start,” Hernandez said after the match. “As I’ve always done, I try to give my all on the pitch. Sometimes there are better evenings than others, but that desire to give everything, I’ve never lost it. And today, it paid off.”

While Désiré Doué was named man of the match, Hernandez could have legitimately claimed the honour. His performance in any case revives his standing in PSG’s hierarchy: he has now established himself as a credible alternative at left-back for the remainder of the season.