published: thursday 17 february 2011, 20.50cet fc bate borisov 2-2 paris saint-germain fc
debutant mikhail gordeychuk was nearly the hosts' hero but péguy luyindula's late header means this tie remains level at the halfway stage.
fc bate borisov's first springtime european fixture ended in a draw as paris saint-germain fc twice came from behind in minsk.
the belarusian champions entered the round of 32 first leg against psg without any competitive football since december, but it did not show as they went ahead early on through renan bressan. mevlüt erdinç restored parity before half-time, but it seemed debutant mikhail gordeychuk had given his side a lead to take to paris in the 81st minute only for péguy luyindula's late header to level matters.
with the players wrapped up in sub-zero conditions, they could have been forgiven a slow start yet the hosts took just 16 minutes to forge ahead. there seemed little danger when vitali rodionov received possession, but the belarus striker wrong-footed the visiting defence with an exquisite back-heel. bressan was the grateful recipient and he ran into the wide open space created by rodionov's flick, before somewhat scuffing his finish past apoula édel.
yves bertucci's side responded well and levelled on the half-hour. marko simić missed his header allowing luyindula to surge forward before squaring to strike partner erdinç, who slid the ball into the net. psg substitute jean-eudes maurice next went close, side-footing straight at gutor when well placed.
with 20 minutes remaining rodionov was twice a whisker away and bate did eventually score, if from an unlikely source. aleksandr volodko's drive came back off the post and substitute gordeychuk finished into the roof of the net.
fellow replacement maksim skavysh had the chance to seal victory, but while he wasted a fantastic opportunity to make it 3-1, luyindula was not so profligate with a minute of normal time remaining. his header gives psg the edge ahead of the sides' return next week.
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