PSG eased past a struggling Strasbourg (3-0) side thanks to a reinvigorated Kylian Mbappé, who netted a goal and assist after having gone four matches without scoring for his club.
Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 RC Strasbourg Alsace
THE MATCH
Third in the standings heading into the fixture against Strasbourg, PSG started their ninth game of a Ligue 1 Uber Eats season without standing at the top for the first since the 2016/17 season. Luis Enrique's side have some catching up to do, and they wasted no time against Strasbourg.
Patrick Vieira's men were quickly pinned deep inside their own-half, and whilst they struggled to manipulate space in the early stages, a clumsy challenge from Junior Mwanga on Gonçalo Ramos gifted Mbappé a chance to open the scoring from the spot. The Frenchman didn't need a second invitation, slotting past Matz Sels (10').
Mbappé à la baguette
All signs alluded to a difficult day in store for Strasbourg, but against the run of play, it looked like they had drawn level through Lebo Mothiba. The South African slotted home after (12') Lucas Perrin chipped a loose ball across goal, but Mothiba was adjudged to be offside following a VAR review.
It was instead PSG who got the next goal of the encounter. This time, the goalscorer turned the provider. Mbappé's clever footwork earned himself half a yard and he used it to put a ball across goal for Carlos Soler who tucked into the empty net (31').
Bradley Barcola (36') and Mbappé (42') both went close before half-time, but both dragged their shots just wide from tight angles. The latter then had a golden chance to put the game to dead early in the second-half, but this time Sels came out on top after being put through on goal (53').
PSG, unthreatened by their opponents and seemingly on their way to the three points that would, at least temporarily, put them top, lowered their intensity in the second half. Whilst Strasbourg struggled to create from open play, they did threaten from deadballs, and PSG were given a wake up call when Gerzino Nyamsi rose highest to head straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma (75').
The Spanish connection
That warning was heeded, and PSG proceeded to end the game as the contest. Fabián Ruiz received the ball from compatriot Soler in a congested Strasbourg penalty area, but dribbled his way through before dinking past Sels (77').
PSG therefore eased to a win that puts them temporarily top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats and gives them a boost ahead of a midweek UEFA Champions League clash against AC Milan.
THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé
Prior to the international break, Mbappé's form and fitness were being called into question. The France captain had gone four games without scoring for PSG, the longest he has gone without scoring for the club since April-May 2018. However, he rediscovered his confidence and his goalscoring touch with Les Bleus, netting three goals in two games. He has brought that form back to the Parc des Princes, scoring the first from the spot, setting up the second, and proving a thorn in Strasbourg's side throughout.
THE STAT: 33
PSG are unbeaten against Strasbourg at home in their last 33 Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches (26 wins, seven draws). It is the longest unbeaten streak of any team hosting another in the top-flight. Les Alsaciens have in fact never won an official game at the Parc des Princes.
