Paris Saint-Germain’s defence of their Ligue 1 title acquired off to the right begin with an emphatic 5-0 win at relegation favourites Clermont Foot.
Christophe Galtier’s first league sport answerable for the Parisians may hardly have gone any higher as PSG ran out resounding victors on the Stade Gabriel Montpied.
After a quick Clermont begin, PSG almost took the lead when Neymar met a low cross from Achraf Hakimi, however Alidu Seidu scampered again by way of the penalty space to make a block.
The mercurial Brazilian solely wanted a second probability to seek out the online nonetheless because the champions took a ninth-minute lead. Pablo Sarabia nearly stored an extended ball in behind alive and his cutback was flicked on by Lionel Messi and into Neymar’s path, ending with aplomb from 20 yards.
Debutant Vitinha curled an effort from the same distance simply extensive quickly after earlier than Hakimi doubled the lead on a swift counter, with Messi and Neymar combining earlier than the Brazilian turned supplier for the wing-back, who fired into the roof of Mory Diaw’s web.
Diaw made a shocking save to disclaim Sergio Ramos’ bouncing header from a nook minutes later, although was unable to disclaim Marquinhos when he nodded in a Neymar free-kick.
Messi almost added a objective of his personal in first-half stoppage time, however Diaw’s outstretched arm pushed his near-post strike behind and referee Jeremy Stinat mercifully introduced the opening 45 minutes to an in depth.
After the break, Clermont almost levelled when Komnen Andric turned and struck a rocket in the direction of the highest nook, however it whistled previous the submit.
Nuno Mendes almost had his first PSG objective when he bustled by way of the field to satisfy Hakimi’s deep cross, however Diaw threw out a hand to maintain him out.
The guests virtually actually walked their fourth in when Messi and Neymar waltzed into the Clermont space, with the latter rolling it again throughout the face of objective for his Argentine teammate to faucet in.
Messi grabbed his brace with minutes left on the clock after assembly a intelligent dink excessive from Leandro Paredes, discovering the online with an exquisite overhead kick.
Juan Bernat and Messi have been stored out by Diaw within the dying embers because the match completed with none added time to place Clermont out of their distress.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5/10 – Did not have a lot to do, however was nervy with the ball at his ft.
CB: Sergio Ramos – 7/10 – Performed with the aggressiveness and authority that he is turn into revered for.
CB: Marquinhos – 8/10 – Commanded the backline excellently and was a menace on set items.
CB: Presnel Kimpembe – 7/10 – Did his job with little fuss.
RM: Achraf Hakimi – 9/10 – A supreme efficiency. Tormented Clermont’s left aspect all evening lengthy together with his tempo and trickery.
CM: Vitinha – 6/10 – Did not appear to be on the identical wavelength as his new teammates.
CM: Marco Verratti – 6/10 – Appeared surprisingly sluggish and off the tempo.
LM: Nuno Mendes – 7/10 – Struggled to manage the ball on the again underneath strain at instances however he stretched play to assist create area for Messi and Neymar.
RF: Pablo Sarabia – 7/10 – Performed on the periphery to his two star-studded companions in assault, however that was comprehensible.
LF: Neymar – 10/10 – Classic Neymar. The Brazilian had the ball on a string and made Clermont dance to his tune. May be upset to solely seize one objective and three assists.
CF: Lionel Messi – 10/10 – This central function suited Messi completely, dropping deep to hyperlink up with Neymar and pull Clermont aside at will.
SUB: Nordi Mukiele (67′ for Ramos) – 6/10
SUB: Leandro Paredes (67′ for Vitinha) – 7/10
SUB: Hugo Ekitike (78′ for Sarabia) – N/A
SUB: Juan Bernat (78′ for Mendes) – N/A
SUB: Warren Zaire-Emery (82′ for Verratti) – N/A
Supervisor: Christophe Galtier – 8/10 – Cannot fault something the brand new boss did or did not do. PSG have been at their formidable greatest.
