PSG – Monaco: Paris dominates, Monaco strikes true

Paris Saint-Germain thought it had finally secured its first Ligue 1 win of the season. It had control, chances and the lead on the scoreboard. But at the end of a particularly frustrating evening at the Parc des Princes, Paris went down to Monaco (1-2), despite an overall convincing performance in terms of play.

At half-time, Paris already boasted eloquent statistics: 69% possession, 11 shots including 5 on target, against a single off-target shot from Monaco. The gap was also reflected in the expected goals figures, with an xG of 1.49 for PSG compared to 0.02 for Monaco.

Paris had nonetheless started at full throttle. Désiré Doué quickly forced Lukáš Hrádecký into action, before Achraf Hakimi and then Khvicha Kvaratskhelia again put the Monaco goalkeeper to work. PSG were eventually rewarded in the 31st minute: set up by Kvaratskhelia, Marquinhos rose at the far post and opened the scoring with his chest.

The scenario then seemed to favour Luis Enrique's men. But Monaco were about to resist, then strike at the very moment Paris appeared to have the match under control.

Hrádecký, the Monaco wall

The turning point of the match has a name: Lukáš Hrádecký.

The Finnish goalkeeper produced a series of decisive interventions. After another save against Kvaratskhelia in the first half, he again stood tall in front of Akliouche upon the restart. In the final seconds, as Dembélé perhaps thought he had snatched the equaliser, Hrádecký once more produced a spectacular save to preserve Monaco's victory.

In the meantime, Monaco had shown ruthless efficiency.

Two chances, two goals

In the 58th minute, Jordan Teze found Flávio Nazinho at the far post. The Portuguese forward equalised with a header, with Monaco having barely troubled Safonov up to that point.

Then, in the 67th minute, the scenario repeated itself. Denis Zakaria drove forward, Aleksandr Golovin found Stanis Idumbo, and the Belgian beat Marquinhos before beating Safonov at the near post.

• Two Monaco shots on target
• Two goals scored

Monaco had just turned around a match that Paris had largely dominated in terms of content.

PSG then pushed forward with the introductions of Ousmane Dembélé and Ferran Torres. But despite Parisian pressure, Monaco held on until the final whistle.

Luis Enrique refuses to dismiss everything

After the match, Luis Enrique did not hide his frustration but refused to question the performance produced by his team.

'We clearly deserved the win'

said the Paris coach, who also acknowledged his share of responsibility. For the Spaniard, football sometimes has an aspect that is difficult to explain: his team is not yet at its best level, but he insisted he had seen 'a lot of positive things'.

This defeat comes as Paris have still not won after three Ligue 1 matchdays, with two draws followed by this loss. Monaco, for their part, have a perfect record and stand alone at the top of the league with three wins.

A defeat that does not tell the whole story

The result is bad for PSG. The performance, however, is more nuanced.

Paris created chances, attacked and suffocated Monaco for long spells. But the French champions paid dearly for two defensive errors and their lack of efficiency in the final third. On the other side, Monaco fully accepted to sit back before converting their rare opportunities.

It is therefore a paradoxical evening for Luis Enrique: his team loses, yet shows more encouraging signs in terms of play.

The problem now is that points are starting to run short. And in a season where PSG are still aiming for the top, good impressions will not be enough forever.