Kylian Mbappe opened his Ligue 1 account for the 2021/2022 season as Paris Saint-Germain, defeated resilient Brest 4-2, albeit without Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi.
With Neymar and Mbappe not considered fit by Mauricio Pochettino on Friday, Mbappe scored his first of the season with what was just his fourth-headed goal in Ligue 1.
The French youngster put PSG 2-0 up, with Ander Herrera having opened the scoring, but Keylor Navas’ error handed Brest a reprieve.
Idrissa Gueye’s long-range strike seemed to have settled the contest, though it was ultimately substituted by Angel Di Maria who had to wrap up the points after Steve Mounie had pulled another one back.
PSG players celebrating in the match. PHOTO: Courtesy
Mbappe’s six attempts across the opening two Ligue 1 games failed to yield reward and the France star might have done better in the fourth minute, with his close-range shot saved well by Marco Bizot, though an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.065 suggested it was a difficult chance.
With Marco Verratti who made a comeback to the vast PSG squad after a busy summer with EURO winners, Italy also going close, PSG’s dominance told when Herrera tried his luck with a volley which crept in under Bizot.
Navas had to hold his hands up at the other end before half-time, with PSG’s shot-stopper failing to prevent Franck Honorat, scoring despite getting a hand on the shot.
PSG’s frustrations grew as they looked to add to their lead, yet Bizot’s vulnerability from long shots came to the fore again as Gueye’s dipping effort from 35-yards out evaded his grasp.
Navas not learning from his earlier mistake, though Mounie did set up a grandstand finish with a cool finish in the 85th minute.
There would be no fairytale comeback, however, with Di Maria just nine minutes into his return scoring the fourth for PSG to seal all the three points for Pochettino’s side.
PSG’s Angel Di Maria. PHOTO: Courtesy
Definitely as the favorites for the Ligue 1 title this season, PSG was still without many of their new signings with only Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum starting.
Sergio Ramos is still sidelined due to an injury whilst goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was mentioned on the bench against Brest. Lionel Messi is yet to regain full match fitness after a busy summer with his native Argentina progressing to the finals of the COPA America cup and eventually winning it.
Winger Neymar is also still unavailable due to lack of match fitness after a busy summer with Brazil where he also progressed to the COPA America finals.
Given Navas has been such an excellent signing for PSG, it was no surprise to see eyebrows raised when they moved to secure Gianluigi Donnarumma, and his hopes of immediately taking over from the Costa Rican as the first choice may have been boosted.
Fortunately for Navas, his blushes were somewhat spared by Bizot, who should have done far better for two of PSG’s strikes. Indeed Gueye’s winner had an xG of just 0.015 – the lowest of any attempt all game.
Next weekend, PSG is away again at Reims, before the international break, meaning the much anticipated Messi’s debut may still well come on the road. It seems likely, with Mauro Icardi having gone off injured late on. Brest on their side face Strasbourg in their next outing.
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