PSG gets its second win in Ligue 1. This one though was not as smooth as last week’s. Montpellier had its moments as it succeeded it putting two goals past Gianluigi Donnarumma. But the Parisians still win the game by a score of 5-2.
Here are the major highlights from the game:
- ⦿
23’ – PENALTY MISSED – Kylian Mbappe’s effort from the spot is saved by Omlin. PSG 0-0 Montpellier. - ⦿
39’ – OWN GOAL – Falaye Sacko turns in a Mbappe cross into his own net. PSG 1-0 Montpellier. - ⦿
43’ – PENALTY SCORED – Neymar converts from the spot tow double his side’s lead. PSG 2-0 Montpellier
- ⦿
51’ – NEYMAR SCORES – Neymar heads in deflected Hakimi cross at the first post. PSG 3-0 Montpellier - ⦿
58’ – MONTPELLIER PULL ONE BACK – Khazri tucks in a rebound to reduce the deficit. PSG 3-1 Montpellier - ⦿
69’ – MBAPPE SCORES – Mbappe pokes one in from a corner. PSG 4-1 Montpellier - ⦿
87’ – RENATO SANCHES SCORES – Sanches scores with just his second touch. PSG 5-1 Montpellier - ⦿
90+’ – MONTPELLIER MAKES IT TWO – Tchato gets Montpellier a consolation goal. PSG 5-2 Montpellier
90’
Neymar leaves the pitch to a standing ovation. He has started this season on fire and PSG will be hoping he will sustain this form. Two minutes added on. Montpellier with a long ball into the box and they score. 19-year-old Tchato with great composure as he finishes it past Donnarumma. 5-2 the final score.
87’
Renato Sanches is introduced and he scores with his second touch. WHAT AN INTRODUCTION!! 5-1 for PSG. Sanches with a left-footed finish from a Mendes cross.
84’
Savanier attempts to lob Donnarumma from close to the halfway line. All credits to the idea, but he missed out on the execution. Neymar thought he had got his hattrick, but his goal is ruled out for an offside infringement.
81’
PSG is hungry for more. Mbappe with a snapshot from the left. But Omlin stays strong at the near post to block it away.
78’
Messi’s turn with a corner and it almost results in a goal. Kimpembe leaps high only for him to glance it wide off the post. Missed opportunity for the birthday boy. Meanwhile, former PSG player Mahmodou Sakho gets a warm reception from the home crowd.
75’
Neymar goes for an outside off the boot pass hoping it will curl its way onto Mbappe’s path. But the pass had a little more pace than what was needed.
72’
Messi, Mbappe and Verrati exchange passes in the left-hand corner of the box before the Argentine tried to curl one in. But Omlin was on hand to get hold off that shot.
69’
Mbappe wins a corner down the left after some slick moves from Mendes. Neymar whips it in and it reaches Mbappe who pokes it in at the back post. MBAPPE SCORES!! PSG 4-1 Montpellier
66’
Hakimi hammers into Khazri to give away a cheap free kick. PSG forwards are getting frustrated as their attempts to go through the Montpellier defense has been thwarted a few times on a trot.
63’
PSG tries to reassert its dominance. Neymar tries to find Messi. But Sacko intercepts well. Montpellier is back on the attack, but Verratti is there to put and end to that move.
60’
The goal has given a shot of confidence to this Montpellier side. A lot more positivity and intent in the passing from the visitors.
57’
PSG is looking to clean up this game. Montpellier gets a spell of possession, and they work a move through. Wahi takes a shot from the box which is saved by Donnarumma. But Khazri pounces on the rebound to get one back for Montpellier. 3-1 in favour of PSG now.
54’
Mbappe gifted with an opportunity. He latches on to a loose ball inside the box and tries to curl one in. But he couldn’t find the range. Another missed opportunity for the Frenchman.
52’
Pure instinct from Neymar. Hakimi tries to drive a cross, but it deflects up and Neymar leaps up to head it past Omlin for his second. PSG 3-0 up.
50’
Messi tries to whip in a cross from the right. It floats and flutters but ends just as a goalkick as Omlin watches it over the bar. Mendes down the left has been a constant attacking presence.
47’
PSG continues from where they left off. Stamps down on possession and pushes Montpellier deep into its own penalty box.
Second half begins!!
HALF TIME
A chaotic half of football. Two penalties, one penalty save, one own goal and a few wonderful saves. PSG has not been its ruthless self and yet they lead 2-0. Montpellier has rarely ventured forward and the PSG defenders and goalkeeper has had an easy day at work so far.
45’
Donnarumma has a rare touch of the ball with a back pass. Montpellier presses on with a rare attack. But PSG defenders deal with it and Hakimi gets a chance on the counter. His finish wasn’t on the mark and the referee brings an end to the first half.
43’
Mbappe takes too long to shoot. The ball bounces around in the box and finally, it pings to Messi, whose shot clangs into the hand of a Montpellier defender. ANOTHER PENALTY. This time it is Neymar, whose stuttered run-up befuddles Omlin. The ball rolls into the left corner. 2-0 for PSG.
39’
A lot of confusion down PSG’s right. Finally Mbappe gets hold of the ball and rifles a shot meant for the back post. Unfortunately for Montpellier, Sacko struck a foot out and nicked off the defender’s leg and ends up as an own goal. PSG leads 1-0.
38’
Risky moments at both ends of the pitch as both goalkeepers are forced to be vigilant. But the scoreboard is unmoved.
35’
PSG continues on with its patient approach. They move the ball around looking for opportunities to thread the needle.
31’
Messi splits Montpellier with a pass which finds Neymar. He tries to chop in only to be tripped by Sacko. Appeals for a penalty rings around. But the referee ignores it.
30’
Messi and Neymar link up well outside the box. The Argentine shoots with finesse, but Omlin is upto it again. Another save from him.
28’
Omlin has been a one-man wall for his side against PSG. If not for him, this game would drifted away from his side.
25’
Neymar wins a freekick and Messi is the one to take it. His kick seemed destined to end up in the goal, but Omlin flies to his left again to deny PSG.
23’
A quick VAR check and the referee adjudges a handball offense and it is a PENALTY for PSG. Mbappe steps up but Omlin flies to his left to pull off a marvelous one-handed save to keep it 0-0. PENALTY MISSED BY MBAPPE.
20’
Montpellier makes headway into the opposite territory. But Verratti deals with it and recycles the possession. PSG brings it forward again, searching for fissures in the Montpellier wall of defense. Neymar almost does so, but his cross-shot from the left byline, which went through Omlin’s legs, was hacked off the line.
18’
Hakimi finds Messi at the edge of the D. Messi chips the ball in for an onrushing Neymar, whose first touch was a tad too strong. Missed chance there for PSG.
15’
Mbappe wins another corner. This time down the left. But once again, Messi’s delivery doesn’t cause much trouble.
13’
PSG has been prodding down Montpellier’s left flank for a while. Hakimi finally gets through down there. But his cross is blocked for a corner. Messi’s corner is collected by Omlin
10’
Neymar has been heavily involved in the early proceedings for PSG. But no big chances created by the defending champions yet.
7’
Montpellier is giving PSG ample time on the ball. They are content to defend deep and pinning its hopes on a quick counterattack to score.
5’
PSG settling into the game well. Montpellier forced to chase the ball a round the park.
PSG’s attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar is reunited. They will be out on the hunt against Montpellier as the Parisians look to continue their title defense under their new manager Christophe Galtier.
📋 Starting XI’s at Parc des Princes!
The @PSG_English trio @KMbappe – Messi – @neymarjr host @MontpellierHSC #PSGMHSC pic.twitter.com/gsL2Lc0uTl
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 13, 2022
PLAYING 11
PSG: Donnarumma(GK), Ramos, Marquinhos, Kimpembe; Mendes, Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha; Messi, Mbappe, Neymar
MONTPELLIER: Omlin(GK); Mbiayi, Sacko, Sainte-Luce, Cozza; Savanier, Chotard; Khazri, Ferri, Maouassa; Wahi
PSG will be looking to continue its win streak in the 2022/23 season in its first home game of the season against Montpellier.
When will PSG play Montpellier?
PSG vs Montpellier will kick off at 12:30 AM IST on August 14.
MATCH PREVIEW
A lot of attention would be focussed on Lionel Messi after he was not included in the 30-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The Argentine, though, has started the season in fine form and has linked up with Neymar to help his side to a spotless start to the season. The duo has had direct contributions on eight of the nine goals scored by the defending champions so far.
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Montpellier on the other hand will have to play out of their skin to get a result against a side they haven’t beaten since 2019.
PSG, however, may miss out on Kylian Mbappe, who has missed both opening games of the season with an adductor injury.
Predicted 11
PSG
Donnarumma(GK), Ramos, Marquinhos, Kimpembe; Mendes, Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha; Messi, Mbappe, Neymar
Montpellier
Omlin(GK); Souquet,Sakho, Sainte-Luce, Esteve; Savanier, Chotard; Khazri, Nordin, Maouassa; Wahi