The Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé, under pressure from German defender Ismail Jakobs, during the match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco at Parc des Princes in Paris on November 24, 2023. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
After an international break of around ten days, Paris Saint-Germain won at home against AS Monaco on Friday, November 24 at Parc des Princes (5-2). This sixth consecutive victory in Ligue 1 enables them to solidify their position as leaders of the championship. On the other hand, the rock-based club, currently third in the championship, is now six points behind.
With only four days before their match against Newcastle in the Champions League (Tuesday, November 28, at 9 pm), the Luis Enrique’s team found reassurance. “It’s always difficult to play after the international break, but the players all made a good effort against one of the best teams in the championship,” said the Spanish coach during an interview after the game. In the absence of some of their senior players, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Marquinhos, PSG delivered a serious game.
Prefered over Randal Kolo Muani at the head of the Parisian attack, Portuguese Gonçalo Ramos scored a goal from close range at the 18th minute after a shot from Ousmane Dembélé was not properly repelled by Köhn. Cornered in their area, Monaco quickly came back after an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma at the 22nd minute.
An unexpected goal that allowed the Principality’s men to continue their incessant pressing to disrupt Parisian restarts. Just before the end of a very open first half, Kylian Mbappé, who had seen each of his attempts stopped by Köhn, was sent back to give the advantage to his team (39th) with a penalty straight into the top corner. The captain of the French team, now in possession of the “S1” badge inaugurated by the Professional Football League (LFP), reinforced his status as the leading scorer in the championship (14 goals).
Back from the locker rooms, both teams struggled to convert their chances. The defenses of Philipp Köhn and Gianluigi Donnarumma explain the lack of success. It finally took yet another exploit from Ousmane Dembélé on his right side to give PSG a lead (3-1). At the 70th minute, Dembélé received a long pass from Fabian Ruiz which he controlled, took the ball to the Monaco area, and managed to beat Köhn with a powerful shot from the right, at a tight angle.
Scoring his first goal since joining the capital club, Dembélé preferred to focus on the team’s performance. “I think we played a very good match overall,” said the man of the match. “Monaco is a team that tries to play and presses its opponent. They pushed us to make some small mistakes, but we quickly recovered, continued to attack and defend well. I am happy with this goal, but the most important thing is for the team to continue this streak. We need to win the next two matches against Newcastle in the Champions League.”
Despite being ahead, the Parisians continued to attack. Two minutes after Dembélé, Vitinha extended the lead for PSG. “It feels good to score for the team. It provides motivation. It pushes you to position yourself high,” analyzed the midfielder.
Like his partner Dembélé, Vitinha was wary of ASM, the second best attack in France (27 goals scored after the 13th round). “Monaco dominated us in the second half. We need to see what was missing to correct that,” he said. Touched but not knocked out, Adi Hütter’s men reduced the deficit through Folarin Balogun at the 75th minute, but the goal didn’t change the outcome of the match.
In addition to those four goals, Randal Kolo Muani scored a fifth goal during the 96th minute, contributing to a just victory in a fast-paced and high-scoring game. The Paris Saint-Germain team takes a lead at the top of Ligue 1 (4 points ahead of Nice, who hosted Toulouse on Saturday, November 25), ahead of the crucial match against Newcastle in the 5th round of the Champions League (Tuesday, November 28, at 9 pm).
Oscar Korbosli
