Paris Saint-Germain Comes Back to Defeat AS Monaco 3-2 in Champions League Playoffs

On October 3, 2023, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over AS Monaco in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs. After a shaky start where they found themselves two goals down, with both goals scored by Falorin Balogun, PSG bounced back, thanks to contributions from Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi. Following the second half, Monaco was reduced to ten men after Aleksandr Golovin’s dismissal, allowing Doué to score the decisive goal. PSG now holds a significant advantage heading into the second leg next week in the capital.

Player Ratings for PSG

1. Matvey Safonov – 5/10

Matvey Safonov had a challenging night but cannot be blamed for the two first-half goals he conceded. He was beaten twice by Balogun (1′, 18′) but made a crucial save on a Zakaria shot around the hour mark. Overall, his activity was limited as PSG dominated with 80% possession.

2. Achraf Hakimi – 6/10

Initially quiet, Achraf Hakimi made his presence felt with a goal just before halftime (41′). He skillfully equalized after a rebound from Köhn. Hakimi also led the counterattack that resulted in Doué’s winning goal, showcasing a solid performance.

3. Marquinhos – 5/10

Marquinhos surprised many by allowing Balogun to shoot unchallenged for Monaco’s second goal. His early-game errors caused some anxiety for PSG, although he remained solid after the second goal.

4. Willian Pacho – 4/10

Willian Pacho was at fault for Monaco’s second goal, as he pressed too high on Akliouche, leading to a decisive pass to Balogun. He improved in the second half with more focused defensive plays.

5. Nuno Mendes – 3/10

Nuno Mendes struggled in the first half, making a critical mistake that led to the first goal. He appeared lost at times and lacked the sharpness needed defensively throughout the match.

6. Vitinha – 5/10

Vitinha missed a penalty at the 22-minute mark, which drastically affected his rating. Despite this, he managed the tempo well and played a typical game, though he faced a harsh challenge from Golovin shortly after halftime.

7. Joao Neves – 6/10

Joao Neves showed resilience after a tough outing against Rennes. He fought hard during PSG’s challenging first half, nearly scoring on a couple of occasions and delivering a commendable performance overall.

8. Warren Zaïre-Emery – 6/10

Zaïre-Emery was relatively quiet in the first half but came alive in the second half, displaying mobility and creating opportunities, including an assist for Doué’s goal.

9. Bradley Barcola – 4/10

Barcola started strong but gradually faded as Vanderson tightened his defense. He did manage to provide an assist for Doué but squandered a crucial chance late in the game.

10. Ousmane Dembélé – Not Rated

Despite starting the match, Dembélé’s game was cut short after just 26 minutes due to injury. His absence was felt, but Désiré Doué stepped up impressively as his replacement.

11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 7/10

Kvaratskhelia was lively throughout the match, showing skill and creating chances, including drawing a penalty that was ultimately missed. He had a notable impact in the first half but was more subdued after the break.