Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 AS Monaco

THE MATCH

Monaco could have been forgiven for arriving at the Parc des Princes still licking their wounds from last Saturday's 4-1 loss to RC Lens, but they started brightly against the champions. Philippe Clement went for a 3-4-3 formation, matching PSG player for player, and it showed early promise when a frustrated Neymar was booked for pushing Kevin Volland (4'). Monaco got stuck into their hosts at every opportunity, and that mentality led to the opener. Mo Camara won the ball from Lionel Messi in midfield before Aleksandr Golovin slipped Volland through, and the German muscled Presnel Kimpembe off before converting low beyond Gigi Donnarumma (20'). An injured Volland made way for Maghnes Akliouche soon after (25') but Caio Henrique might then have made it 2-0 from a free-kick that Camara earned, but his curling left-footed effort was turned around the post by Donnarumma (33'). PSG ended the half well, though. Kylian Mbappé had an effort cleared off the line by Axel Disasi after Sergio Ramos had missed an overhead kick (44') before he and Messi both hit the post in quick succession (45+1') and it was - somehow - 1-0 to Monaco at the break.

Neymar on target

Henrique nearly caused a second goal immediately after kick-off of the second half. The Brazilian sent a long ball forward that Marquinhos attempted to head back to his goalkeeper, but Donnarumma had already come off his line and both were relieved to see it go wide (46'). Wissam Ben Yedder then missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0, latching onto Youssouf Fofana's pass and rounding Donnarumma before firing high of the target (47'). Neymar forced a close-range save from Nubel at the other end before Renato Sanches blazed the rebound wide with the goal gaping (59'). Neymar then tried to catch Nubel out after the German had raced off his line to quell Mbappé, but his effort went over (61'). There was to be no denying Neymar minutes later, though. The on-fire forward was clipped by Guillermo Maripan in the box and stepped up to convert the resulting penalty (70'). Achraf Hakimni then found the post with a thumping effort (75') before Nubel pulled of a fine save against Mbappé (84') and PSG had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

THE PLAYER: Neymar Jr.

Neymar was singled out for criticism by PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaïfi in pre-season, but he has played like a man possessed since the campaign kicked off. His penalty here was his sixth goal of the 2022/23 season already; and he has also had six assists. All told, Neymar has had a goal involvement every 30 minutes he has played.

THE STAT: 28

PSG have now hit the woodwork 28 times in Ligue 1 Uber Eats since the start of last season, which is 12 more times than any other team in the division over the period. Messi and Mbappé both added to that figure here, while once again it was Neymar who did the business.