Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain after the Champions League holders took advantage of their radical high defensive line.

Hansi Flick’s side opened the scoring in the 19th minute through a fine team move that ended with Ferran Torres turning home a Marcus Rashford pass in the 19th minute — and continuing their remarkable scoring record under the German (more on that later).

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Luis Enrique’s PSG hit back through their young goalscorer in last season’s final, Senny Mayulu, who slotted past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 38th minute following a brilliant run from Nuno Mendes. Mayulu, 19, was one of five teenagers who started this game, including a certain Lamine Yamal — only the seventh time that has happened in Champions League history.

The intensity dropped a little in the second half, with Achraf Hakimi clearing a goal-bound Dani Olmo shot and substitute Lee Kang-in hitting the post late on, and it appeared as if these two exciting teams would cancel each other out. But Hakimi found acres of space behind Barca’s backline to play in Goncalo Ramos, who managed to stay onside and fire a finish past Szczesny to win it in the 90th minute.

Dermot Corrigan, Jack Lang and Conor O’Neill analyse the key talking points…

Why did Barca continue with their high line?

A new season, but the same radical defensive approach.