PARIS: Goals from Senny Mayulu, Marco Asensio, Bradley Barcola and Lee Kang-in helped Paris St-Germain to thrash Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
PSG are level on 20 points with AS Monaco at the top of the standings after eight matches, while Strasbourg are seventh with 10 points.
PSG midfielder Mayulu broke the deadlock after finding himself unmarked in the box and unleashing a powerful shot that soared into the roof of the net after 18 minutes.
Asensio extended the lead just two minutes after the break, deftly kneeing in a rebound from goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who had parried Desire Doues attempt.
While PSG dominated the match, Strasbourg seized their opportunity when Sekou Mara reduced the deficit in the 58th minute.
PSG extended their lead when Barcola scored the team’s third goal in the 66th minute, and Kang-in added a fourth in stoppage time.
Pape Daouda Diong responded for Strasbourg two minutes later with the last goal of the night.
Monaco’s 0-0 draw at home to Lille on Friday had given PSG the opportunity to go back to the summit and they seized the chance despite coach Luis Enrique rotating his squad with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven.
“I think it is the same for all coaches who lose players during international breaks,” said Enrique, whose team also go to Marseille next weekend in French football’s biggest fixture.
“The first game back is always especially complicated but we fulfilled our objectives, which were to get three points against very difficult opponents, and to conserve players so they could recover from games with their national teams and their journeys.”
Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz and captain Marquinhos were among the players left on the bench.
It was just a second defeat so far this season for Strasbourg, who are owned by the same BlueCo consortium which controls Chelsea.
“I feel we lost in the right way, if there is such a thing,” said Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior, who said the defeat was entirely down to the quality of the opposition. “You have to be prepared to lose big in order to win big.”
Earlier, Brest warmed up for their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen by drawing 1-1 with Rennes in a Brittany derby, while RC Lens won 2-0 at Saint-Etienne to maintain their unbeaten record this season.
Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2024
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.