On Sunday, September 3rd, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Lyon 4-1 in Ligue 1.
Lyon had a rough start to their season, losing two and drawing one of their first three games. Their most recent game was a goalless draw away from home against Nice. Manager Laurent Blanc chose a solid squad knowing this would be a difficult challenge.
The Parisians, on the other hand, secured two draws and a win from their opening three games. Their last outing was a comfortable 3-1 win over last season’s runners-up RC Lens. Manager Luis Enrique named a full-strength lineup for this contest.
The starting eleven for #OLPSG! ππ΄π΅ pic.twitter.com/s3V62GlhtP
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 3, 2023
PSG made an explosive start to the game, taking a 1-0 lead after just four minutes. Corentin Tolisso fouled Manuel Ugarte in the area, resulting in a penalty kick, which Kylian Mbappe converted with his left foot. After 20 minutes, Lyon fell farther behind as Achraf Hakimi showed remarkable tenacity to get to the ball and score.
The visitors kept up the pressure and scored their third goal thanks to a great team move. Following a superb assist by Ugarte, Marco Asensio added the finishing touches. Mbappe then added a brace on the stroke of halftime, giving PSG a 4-0 lead against Lyon.
Paris lead at the break βΈ#OLPSG I 0-4 pic.twitter.com/xBGrzktHSn
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 3, 2023
PSG took a conservative strategy in the second half, sitting back in their own half, willing to knock the ball about to run down the clock. They were unlucky to concede in this manner, when Warren Zaire-Emery fouled Nicolas Tagliafico inside the area, resulting in a penalty. Tolisso stepped up and made the score 4-1.
As the game went, both managers made multiple changes to their sides, but neither side was able to influence the scoreline. The game finished with PSG winning 4-1 against Lyon.
On that topic, here are the five game-related talking points.
#5. By the middle of the first, PSG had a two-goal lead
Lyon got off to a nightmarish start in which they couldn’t afford even a single mistake. Tolisso was the offender, fouling Manuel Ugarte inside the area, and the referee made no mistake in pointing to the spot. Mbappe stepped up and easily converted to make it 1-0 after just four minutes.
PSG continued to put pressure on their opponents, dominating possession and creating opportunity after chance. The fact that Lyon made multiple blunders with the ball aided their case. The visitors were looking more than comfortable when Hakimi scored their second goal 20 minutes into the contest.
βοΈ 20' @AchrafHakimi goal!!! π#OLPSG I 0-2 pic.twitter.com/YFZ18Jzu0n
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 3, 2023
#4. The Parisians patiently waited for an opportunity to attack Lyon
The Parisians controlled possession in the first half, knowing that retaining the ball for long periods would help them control the game. They did, however, sit back at times and allow Lyon to close in on them in the hopes of causing a mistake in the form of a missed pass. This generated opportunities for them.
Lyon had 39% control of the ball in the first period and tried 11 shots, but only three were on target. They made errors because they did not play with a flow since they had little time on the ball. PSG performed well to choose their opportunities and capitalize on mistakes.
#3. PSG had a perfect first half, earning four stars
The Parisians were locked in and produced multiple opportunities with their style of play after taking a two-goal lead halfway through the first quarter. They stood back with three defenders, waiting for Lyon to break shape in order to push.
PSG broke down the hosts as soon as they surged forward, with a rapid relay of five or six passes through their lines before bursting into their 18-yard box.
After the whole squad contributed to a smooth play, Marco Asensio capped it off with a wonderful move after a ball from Manuel Ugarte. The visitors then took advantage of another blunder by the hosts in midfield, and Mbappe scored to make it 4-1.
4-0 PSG.
— ππ π ππππ π (@TheEuropeanLad) September 3, 2023
MBAPPE SCORES A BRACE !! PSG ARE 4-0 UP BEFORE HALFTIME VS LYON !! pic.twitter.com/2wEJBPYiwW
#2. Tolisso's penalty in the second half was a little consolation
Lyon were helpless in the first half but attempted to salvage something from the game in the second. The referee awarded a penalty after full-back Nicolas Tagliafico advanced into the area and was taken down by Warren Zaire-Emery.
Corentin Tolisso, who had given up a penalty earlier in the half, went up to take the penalty kick and convert it to make it 4-1.
Corentin Tolisso transforme son pΓ©nalty β½οΈπ₯#OLPSG pic.twitter.com/1HtGNXHIi7
— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) September 3, 2023
#1. As the clock ran down, the Parisians were satisfied to just knock the ball about
PSG were pleased to knock the ball about in their own half in the second half, despite having done the brunt of their work in the first half with four goals.
This includes 472 completed passes and 12 shots on goal, just three of which were on target. Luis Enrique also made various adjustments to help the playing XI adjust to the new way of playing the game.
They held on for the rest of the game, winning 4-1.