Paris Saint-Germain are still searching for their first Ligue 1 win of the season. After drawing their opening two matches, PSG suffered a 2-1 defeat against AS Monaco on Friday night at the Parc des Princes. Paris had taken the lead through Marquinhos before completely losing control in the second half, while Monaco recorded a third consecutive victory. Luis Enrique started with Ousmane Dembélé on the bench and Maghnes Akliouche facing his former club, with Safonov in goal behind Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho and Zaïre-Emery.
PSG created the better chances in the first half, with Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both testing Hradecky. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Fabián Ruiz found Kvaratskhelia behind the Monaco defence following a corner. The Georgian immediately crossed with his left foot and Marquinhos finished with his chest to make it 1-0. VAR checked a possible offside against Kvaratskhelia, but the goal stood. Paris nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, only for Hradecky to deny another Kvaratskhelia effort.
Monaco Turn the Match Around in 14 Minutes
The game changed completely after the break. In the 58th minute, Teze picked out Flávio Nazinho at the far post and the Monaco player headed past Safonov to equalise. Luis Enrique responded by introducing Ferran Torres, Lucas Hernandez, Ousmane Dembélé and Mika Godts, but Monaco struck again in the 72nd minute. After a powerful run from Zakaria, Golovin released Stanis Idumbo, who won his duel and beat Safonov at the near post. PSG pushed hard late on and Dembélé almost made it 2-2 in stoppage time, but Hradecky produced a superb save in the 96th minute. After three Ligue 1 games, PSG remain without a victory.
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PSG player ratings: Safonov 5, Hakimi 5.5, Marquinhos 6.5, Pacho 5.5, Zaïre-Emery 5, Fabián Ruiz 5.5, João Neves 5, Vitinha 6, Maghnes Akliouche 5.5, Désiré Doué 5.5 and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 6.5. Marquinhos led by example with the opening goal and a strong first half, while Kvaratskhelia was PSG’s most dangerous attacking player, providing the assist and repeatedly troubling Hradecky. Vitinha was arguably Paris’ most consistent midfielder, while João Neves and Zaïre-Emery struggled to make their usual impact.
Among the substitutes, Ousmane Dembélé earned a 6 after a lively appearance and came within inches of rescuing a point, while Ferran Torres and Mika Godts were rated 5. Lucas Hernandez received 4.5 after a difficult introduction and a booking, while Dro was not rated after coming on for Fabián Ruiz in the final quarter of an hour. PSG’s man of the match was Marquinhos with 6.5, narrowly ahead of Kvaratskhelia, but neither could prevent Paris from suffering their first league defeat of the season.
