Paris Saint-Germain began their post-Kylian Mbappé era with a promising display on Friday, securing a 4-1 victory over Le Havre in their Ligue 1 season opener. This match marked the start of a new chapter for PSG as they navigated life without their star player, who left for Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.
Despite the final scoreline suggesting a comfortable win, the reality of the game was quite different. Although PSG’s performance was dominant, it did not reflect the ease indicated by the score. The match remained tightly contested for most of the game, with PSG’s last three goals coming in the final five minutes. This late surge gave a misleading impression of how straightforward the victory was, masking Le Havre’s ability to hold their own for a significant portion of the match.
Historically, Paris Saint-Germain has been a powerhouse in French football, having won 10 league titles over the past 12 seasons. However, the departure of Kylian Mbappé has ushered in a rebuilding period for the club. This season, PSG is featuring one of the youngest squads in Ligue 1, and they are relying on this new generation of talent to step up and bridge the gap left by their former superstar.
Head coach Luis Enrique reflected on the match, acknowledging his team’s challenges. “It wasn’t easy at all,” Enrique said to reporters. “Maybe we started too calmly. We scored a goal very quickly, which relaxed us too much.” This admission highlights the game’s complexity and the learning curve of integrating new players and adjusting strategies without a key player like Mbappé.
The match saw an interesting lineup choice from PSG, with 16-year-old home-grown talent Ibrahim Mbaye starting on the left wing. His inclusion highlighted the club’s commitment to developing young talent. The game’s early stages saw PSG take the lead swiftly, with 23-year-old South Korean forward Lee Kang-in scoring just three minutes into the match. This quick goal set the tone, but the game would be more challenging than anticipated.
PSG’s efforts were interrupted when Gonçalo Ramos sustained an injury in a challenge. Randal Kolo Muani replaced him in the 20th minute. Enrique expressed concern over Ramos’s injury, stating, “I’m not a doctor, but I think it looks like a serious injury. I don’t know how many weeks he will be out.” The injury added an unexpected hurdle for PSG, forcing them to adapt their game plan.
Kolo Muani nearly made an immediate impact, hitting the crossbar just 25 minutes into the match. Despite his near miss, the next goal came from the visitors. Gautier Lloris, brother of France’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, scored an equalizer for Le Havre in the 48th minute. The match saw a dramatic moment when Josué Casimir’s goal for Le Havre was overturned by a video review just five minutes later, denying them a potential lead.
As the match progressed, PSG intensified their efforts to reclaim the lead. It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Ousmane Dembélé, a key player for PSG, restored their advantage with a header. The late-game surge continued as 21-year-old Bradley Barcola added the third goal a minute later. Kolo Muani then converted a penalty in the match’s final minute to secure a 4-1 victory for PSG.
The 19-year-old João Neves, who played a pivotal role with two assists, added to the impressive performance in the game. His contributions underscored the promise of PSG’s young talent and the club’s focus on integrating new players into its system.
PSG’s victory in the season opener was a testament to their depth and resilience, even as they adapt to a new era without Kylian Mbappé. The match showcased the team’s challenges and potential as they navigated through this transitional period.
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