Carried by its shock duo Neymar-Messi, PSG perfectly started the defense of its title of champion of France by winning very easily in Clermont despite the absence of Kylian Mbappé (5-0), Saturday at the opening of Ligue 1. A week after their great success at the Champions Trophy against Nantes (4-0), the Parisians continued their momentum, demonstrating that they were already on point at the start of the season.
An ideal start! First win in #Ligue1 with the way for our Parisians ❤️ @ClermontFoot 0⃣ – 5⃣ @PSG_inside
⚽️ @neymarjr 9′
⚽️ @AtlantaGirl 26′
⚽️ @marquinhos_m5 39′
⚽️ Leo Messi 80 ‘, 86’ # pic.twitter.com/MewejI6bvb— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 6, 2022
With nine goals scored and none conceded in two official matches, the new coach Christophe Galtier has already begun to make a break with his predecessor, unable to imprint his paw on the Parisian game in a year and a half of office.
Neymar/Messi, the winning ticket
Galtier can savor the production of his troops all the more since he does not have his lethal weapon Kylian Mbappe. The French striker, already suspended during the Champions Trophy, has once again missed the call, this time due to injury (adductors). But his absence was hardly felt on the lawn where he was replaced by the Spaniard Pablo Sarabia.
Without its world champion, Paris could count on a Neymar in great shape to animate the offensive sector. After his double against Nantes, the Brazilian was again in all the right moves with a goal (9th) and three assists for Achraf Hakimi (26th), Marquinhos (38th) and Lionel Messi (80th), the Argentinian s then offering a double on a spectacular return (86th).
A convincing midfielder
While his Parisian future remains unclear despite his repeatedly proclaimed desire to stay at PSG, Neymar has in any case proven that he is fully focused and in no way disturbed by the speculation surrounding his future. Messi, particularly on his legs against the Canaries, was not left out with two goals at the end of the match, one of which was returned which drew a standing ovation from the public at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium.
Galtier was also able to savor Vitinha’s fine performance. The only starting summer rookie, the Portuguese midfielder shone alongside Marco Verratti. All the lights are therefore green for the Parisians and their coach at the start of the season. Even without Kylian Mbappé.
