Former Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain star Fabregas has won 15 major honours in his career, but at 33 his minutes have been managed in Kovac's first season at the Stade Louis II, and he started on the bench when the champions visited the principality on Friday.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time after former player Kylian Mbappé's brace, Kovac sent Fabregas on for Willem Geubbels - a player 14 years the Spanish midfielder's junior - at half-time, and he positively turned the game on its head.

His assist for Kevin Volland's second goal and late penalty winner understandably grabbed the headlines, but Fabregas also won two fouls whilst completing four tackles of his own, put in three crosses and completed 89 percent of his passes, three of which were key. Little wonder Kovac was delighted.

"He's a real professional and a good human being," beamed the German-born Croatian. "It's not easy for a coach to leave him on the bench. When he's a substitute he respects my choice even if it upsets him. He's 33, young players can learn a lot from him, and we really need him."

Fabregas will hope to be back in starting line-up when les Monégasques when they welcome Nîmes Olympique to the Stade Louis II next Sunday, although he understands the principle of squad rotation.

"I know that I can play matches like that," he said. "I've got the experience; I know my qualities and I'm calm. I work a lot and when I have the chance, it's important to do what I did today.

"It's difficult for PSG. They have a lot of players who came back late from international duty and they play in the Champions League against RB Leipzig on Tuesday. They struggled to click into gear, and we took advantage."