Paris is off to a good start. Luis Enrique’s men dominated Dortmund (2-0) on Tuesday, at the Parc des Princes, during the first day of the Champions League. Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi in this meeting largely dominated by PSG, a few days before the reception of OM in Ligue 1. Everything was not perfect, particularly in terms of offensive efficiency, but the score is largely positive for the Rouge et Bleu. In the other Group F match, AC Milan and Newcastle shared the points (0-0).
Paris quickly took control of operations… without, however, being very dangerous. On the contrary, it was the incoming Nmecha who alerted Donnarumma (14th), he who had just replaced the injured Sabitzer. Kobel, however, quickly saw the danger approaching his goal. Draft for his first start in Rouge et Bleu, Kolo Muani collected a cross from Dembélé (15th) while Vitihna, excellent on Tuesday evening (see elsewhere), found the post (19th). Opportunities, rather situations, PSG created in number, up close, from afar, often blocked or off target. Nothing to worry about Kobel, who still had to work in front of Dembélé on the closed side (39th). Domination, increasing pressure as the minutes passed, big counter-pressing to suffocate Dortmund when they lost the ball: Luis Enrique’s men put all the ingredients on the table, except precision in the last gesture, percussion and madness. At the break, all that was missing was in fact… only the goals (0-0 MT).
It wouldn’t be long before it happened. From the 48th. Dembélé’s cross from right to left, Mbappé on reception, Süle’s mime and the referee’s whistle. Generous penalty? Maybe… Penalty, transformed in any case, by Mbappé, while Kobel had started on the right side (1-0, 48th). The deliverance for a Parc des Princes which had not waited for the opening score to ignite. Hakimi? Another man since the start of the season, freer, more himself. The Moroccan showed it again on Tuesday evening with his activity, his combinations, and this magnificent goal with the outside of his foot after a naughty dribble in the area (2-0, 58th). Treat. Great work from Vitinha, again, in building this goal. Behind, a few minutes of hesitation, the German vice-champions timidly putting their noses to the window with a post all the same (79th, 87th). Entering in place of “RKM”, Ramos also saw the frame slipping away (84). The Portuguese will have to wait to celebrate his first Parisian goal, while Mbappé would have seen his goal counter increased at the end of the match (90 1, 2), in vain (2-0 final score).
Substitute at kick-off against Nice (2-3 defeat), Manuel Ugarte was uncertain after a knock in training on Monday. Fortunately for PSG, he was indeed available against Dortmund. The Uruguayan changes absolutely everything for Paris, who can press higher and harder with him. Second Kiss-Kool effect, his presence frees Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery, brilliant Friday evening. Elected man of the match, the Portuguese had a solid game, both in recovery and creation, like his work on the second goal to serve Hakimi. Perhaps his best match for the capital club? A performance… à la Verratti. The young (17 year old) titi, for his part, showed a face that we didn’t know about him, very enterprising with a ball. The Ugarte/Vitinha/Zaire-Emery trio, winning ticket for PSG.
Worrying against Nice four days earlier, in the championship, Paris Saint-Germain resumed its march forward against a weak Dortmund team. Encouraging, reassuring. The BVB still attempted 14 shots on Friday, with only one on target. Moreover, offensive efficiency was not a strength for the Parisians either: 17 shots, only three on target. This is clearly one of the areas of progress for the French champions, who have a meeting with Newcastle, in the north of England, on October 4.