Neymar won and converted a penalty with PSG!
Neymar did equalise for the hosts from the spot to force a 1-1 draw. The woodwork of Alexander Nubel was repeatedly shaved by PSG throughout the 1-1 tie.
Paris Saint-Germain faced AS Monaco in Ligue 1 on Sunday,
providing them with their hardest test of the year thus far. Christophe Galtier’s team fell behind for the first time this season after 20 minutes at Parc des Princes thanks to a goal from Kevin Volland; nevertheless,
Paris Saint Germain Monaco goals
We already knew the backline had holes,
but there was confirmation of it as Volland’s goal exposed weaknesses and Wissam Ben Yedder
came dangerously close to adding a second immediately after the break. Although it wasn’t quite enough to cause Galtier sleepless nights,
it was the fourth goal given up in as many Ligue 1 games,
and for a team like PSG,
an average of one goal against per game is not good enough. The key distinction is that, unlike Monaco,
Les Parisiens were able to defeat Montpellier HSC and Lille OSC.
Recovery in Monaco
The Philippe Clement team has had a sluggish start to the season,
but this performance may rekindle their aspirations following their withdrawal from the UEFA Champions League
and their underwhelming Ligue 1 record thus far. Concern about their chances of making the podium was raised after a crushing loss to RC Lens
in the principality and a draw with Stade Rennais,
but some of that anxiety was allayed on Sunday in the capital. This was by far PSG’s toughest test so far this season,
and it may have provided a more accurate reflection of both sides’ actual abilities.
Sunday’s 1-1 home tie with Monaco kept Paris Saint-Germain
in first place in the French league after Neymar won and converted a penalty.
Guillermo Maripan appeared to catch Neymar with an extended leg
as he cut inside after latching onto Lionel Messi’s cross down the left side.
Following a video review,
the official decided to award the kick after initially dismissing PSG’s claims of a penalty. Neymar confused Alexander Nuebel
with his customary staggered run-up
before casually guiding the ball inside the left post. Neymar scored his eighth goal overall and sixth league goal in the span of five games.
With 10 points,
PSG is ahead of Lens and arch rival Marseille on goal differential.
Even though PSG’s vaunted attacking trio of Lionel Messi,
Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe were denied space early on,
Monaco rode its luck at times and eventually seized the lead in the 20th minute.
Following a challenge on Messi by recently acquired Mohamed Camara close to the midway line,
German attacker Kevin Volland received a pass from Russia midfielder Aleksandr Golovin,
who then held off central defender Presnel Kimpembe before firing a low effort into the bottom right corner.
The PSG attack,
which had scored 17 goals in the league in the previous three games under new coach Christophe Galtier,
could not find the back of the net until Mbappe’s feeble attempt in the 37th minute.
They effectively shut us off,
according to PSG captain Marquinhos. They prevented us from bringing the ball out from behind.
Messi’s curling attempt from 20 metres missed the left upright and bounced to Mbappe,
who rushed his shot and struck the base of the right post. PSG then hit the post again in the final seconds of the first half.
