Ligue 1 2024/25, Matchday 8,
It was a much-rotated Paris Saint-Germain lineup which welcomed Strasbourg to the Parc des Princes on Saturday night, as Luis Ennrique’s men looked to claim a first win this month after a downturn in form before the international break. With two crucial Champions League fixtures and a Classique clash on the horizon, Luis Enrique had opted to afford some rest to some of his starters ahead of the Alsatians’ arrival.
The makeshift lineup included Warren Zaïre-Emery slotting in at right-back, Milan Škriniar making only his second start of the season, Marco Asensio returning from injury to lead the line, and the 18-year-old Senny Mayulu in midfield. In an unfamiliar set-up, the hosts initially struggled to find a way through Liam Rosenior’s team – Mayulu’s shot from range off the post being the closest the Parisians came to troubling Đorđe Petrović in the first fifteen minutes.
The teenager would eventually make his mark minutes later, though. From a one-two with Bradley Barcola, the French youth international was able to beat the goalkeeper at his near post with an emphatic finish, opening his top-flight account in the process. There would be a few more chances for the Parisians before the break – notably a one-on-one chance for Mayulu to double his Ligue 1 tally, which he ultimately curled well above the bar.
It wouldn’t take long after the break for the hosts to double their lead, with Petrović unable to prevent Désiré Doué’s shot from the right from reaching Marco Asensio for a close-range finish with his knee. The Alsatians did manage to halve the deficit before the hour mark, though, with substitute Sékou Mara pipping Willian Pacho to a ball in the box before beating Donnarumma.
PSG restored their two-goal lead soon after, as Barcola struck seconds after the referee overturned his decision to award the Frenchman a penalty. The 22-year-old latched onto a ball over the top, and emerged from a crowd of three defenders around him to fire in his 7th of the campaign from a tight angle.
Kang-in Lee eventually sealed the result in the final minute of normal time, slotting into an empty net from João Neves’ cross – the Portuguese midfielder notching his 6th assist of the campaign. Strasbourg would strike again in stoppage-time, with 18-year-old Senegal midfielder Pape Diong scoring his first senior goal from a corner.
While the Alsatians remain without a win across their history at the Parc des Princes, Liam Rosenior’s young team did show glimpses of the inspiration that had seen them go unbeaten since August. The versatile and attack-minded left-back Diego Moreira, in particular, was incisive at both ends of the pitch, while Andrey Santos also impressed in midfield. Rosenior’s ambitious tactical gamble – opting for what was effectively a 3-man backlie against the league champions – ultimately did not bear any fruits, although Sékou Mara’s impressive half-time cameo will have been a major positive for the visitors.
The hosts, meanwhile, returned to the top of the table on a mostly comfortable night – only spoiled by some homophobic chants from the stands which lasted a few minutes towards the end of the game. Next Sunday’s trip down south, however, is far less likely to be an easy ride.
PSG player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 7
Milan Škriniar, 6
Willian Pacho, 6
Lucas Beraldo, 5
Senny Mayulu, 6 – The 18-year-old’s early effort from outside the box was an early indicator of what would be a fearless performance, which was soon rewarded with a maiden Ligue 1 goal. Complemented Bradley Barcola well on the left wing
Vitinha,
João Neves, 6
Désiré Doué, 6
Marco Asensio, 6
Bradley Barcola, 8 – The 22-year-old continues to torment Ligue 1’s right-backs, turning in another productive performance with an assist and then a goal – extending his lead as the league’s top scorer, with his seventh strike of the campaign.
Selected Strasbourg player ratings
Marvin Senaya, 3 – Defending against an in-form Bradley Barcola is was always going to be a tough ask – not least in an unfamiliar three-man backline. The 23-year-old was booked early on for a challenge on the French international, and was unable to counter his darting runs down the wing before his half-time replacement.
Andrey Santos, 4
Diego Moreira, 6
Sebastian Nanasi, 3
Dilane Bakwa, 4
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from the Parc des Princes, Paris
