da imperador bet: Les Parisiens have serious issues at the back to address, something they showed in their first loss of the Ligue 1 season
da leao: Paris Saint-Germain were hit on the break three times, and, despite the heroics of Kylian Mbappe, failed to salvage a point in a disappointing home loss to Nice. Mbappe scored twice, but PSG's calamitous transition defending muted his efforts, as the Parisians fell 3-2.
The home side had the majority of the possession in the early goings but they couldn't find the net — and were punished by a more opportunistic away side. Terem Moffi provided the Nice goal, benefitting from a scramble inside the PSG box to poke the ball into the bottom corner with Gianluigi Donnarumma static. It was almost two shortly after, but Donnarumma made a full-length stop to deny Khephren Thuram's long-range effort.
Mbappe offered the PSG response, whipping the ball into the back of the net from outside the box. He was inches away from adding a second before the break, lashing a shot just wide of the post.
Nice went ahead once again in the second half, with Moffi shifting around a lunge from Danilo Pereira before feeding Gaetan Laborde, who couldn't miss at the back post. The striker bagged Nice's third 10 minutes later, evading two defenders before curling a fine effort into the bottom corner.
But Mbappe gave PSG life, guiding a volley past the keeper with five minutes to play. However, a third never came, and the Parisians were left frustrated in their first loss of the 2023-24 campaign.
GOAL rates PSG's players from Parc des Princes…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):
Almost gave away a goal early on after a blunder at the back. Made an excellent save to deny Thuram. Couldn't really do anything about any of the three goals.
Achraf Hakimi (6/10):
Assisted Mbappe's equaliser after a neat run. Wasn't very effective in shutting down Moffi, who ran riot in the channel between him and Pereira.
Danilo Pereira (5/10):
Preferred to Marquinhos, who was late returning from international duty. Made to look silly in the run up to Nice's second goal.
Milan Skriniar (5/10):
Should have cleared the ball ahead of Nice's opener. Can be considered culpable for the third, too.
Lucas Hernandez (5/10):
Didn't recover particularly effectively on the counter, and was made to pay. Doesn't offer much going forward, either.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Carlo Soler (5/10):
Played as the most advanced of the midfield three in his first start of the season. Looked out of sorts with little game time under his belt.
Warren Zaire-Emery (6/10):
Played in a slightly deeper role than he's used to, and failed to impress. Needs Manuel Ugarte's strength in there to really thrive.
Vitinha (6/10):
Created the most chances in the match, linked well with Mbappe. Probably the most effective of the midfield trio — although he had little to show for it.
Getty ImagesAttack
Ousmane Dembele (5/10):
Missed badly when his team trailed. Made the wrong decision on a few occasions. Far from his best.
Goncalo Ramos (6/10):
Didn't have too many chances, but put plenty of work in off the ball. The big-money signing might need time to bed in.
Kylian Mbappe (8/10):
In the XI despite some fears of a knee injury sustained while on international duty. Gave the ball away in the run up to the Nice goal. Redeemed himself by bagging the equaliser, as well as the PSG second. Not his fault that the team lost.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Manuel Ugarte (7/10):
Steadied the midfield after a poor start to the second half. He looks like a top signing.
Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):
Assisted Mbappe on his debut, and offered a much-needed injection of pace.
Bradley Barcola (6/10):
Active without being impressive. Needs minutes to showcase his stuff.
Luis Enrique (5/10):
Handed Ramos and Soler starts, and failed to get much of a performance out of his side shortly after the international break. This was his first big hiccup in charge after two draws — he will certainly hope that there won't be many more.