Saturday night’s action saw PSG win comfortably at home against Ajaccio, taking one more step towards a Ligue 1 title win in what was a strange atmosphere at the Parc des Princes dominated by a clash between the pro and anti-Lionel Messi sentiment. Meanwhile, Ajaccio are officially relegated to Ligue 2.
The Argentine made his return to the side following his suspension, which was cut short earlier this week, but was earnestly booed from his first touch from a section of the PSG supporters. This was then replied to with shouts of “Messi” from other sections of the stadium.
Despite the mixed messaging from the stands, PSG were only headed in one direction on the pitch – a comfortable win. Although Ajaccio were organised in their defensive discipline in the early stages of the game, it was Fabián Ruiz who made the breakthrough on the 21st minute, latching onto the ball in the box and finishing well for his second goal in two games.
Achraf Hakimi took advantage of a rebounded Kylian Mbappé strike to simply turn in to double the Parisian advantage ten minutes before the break.
The second half was as comfortable as the first for Christophe Galtier’s side, Sollacaro unable to stop a low strike from Kylian Mbappé from trickling past him despite an initial show of good reflexes to deny the Frenchman. There was nothing messy about Mbappé’s second goal several minutes later, a sweetly-struck volley plucked from a floated ball from just outside the box. Captain Marquinhos got in on the act, popping up on the left hand side with a finish into the right corner, which was deflected on its way in via Mohammed Youssouf.
The game finished with 10 men for both sides as Achraf Hakimi and Thomas Mangani were adjudged with violent behaviour during an altercation in the 77th minute – the PSG man was initially sent off, before the referee went to VAR and saw equal need to send off the Ajaccio midfielder.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Donnarumma, 5
Marquinhos, 5
Ramos, 5
Danilo, 5
Hakimi, 6 – An effective outlet on the right-side for PSG. Was vital in chance creation and offering width for his side and topped off a solid return to the starting XI with re-bounded goal. Sent off at the end of the game for lashing out at Thomas Mangani.
Bernat, 5
Verratti, 5
Ruiz, 6
Messi, 6 – Returns to the side following suspension and was booed by a section of PSG fans on every touch. The Argentine put in a decent performance on his return, combining well with Hugo Ekitike and Kylian Mbappé on the right hand side of a new-look front three.
Ekitike, 5 – Looked more settled against Ajaccio than he did against Troyes. Mobilised centrally but switched with Mbappé on several occasions. Similarly to his performance against Troyes he was used as an outlet and was involved in the build-up and in possession without particularly threatening the goalkeeper.
Mbappé, 7 – More of the same for the Frenchman, whose brace puts him two clear of Alex Lacazette in the Ligue 1 goalscorer’s rankings. Great attacking intent in both halves, was more visibly relaxed than during the Troyes match. His class shone through with his second goal: a sweetly-struck volley to seal the deal and put his side out of sight in the second half.
Others: Renato Sanches 5 , Vitinha 5, Zaïre-Emery 6, Bitshiabu,6
AC AJACCIO
Sollacaro, 3
Youssouf, 4
Avinel, 5
Vidal, 4
Diallo, 5
Marchetti, 5
Coutadeur, 5
Barreto, 4
Spadanuda, 4
El Idrissy, 4
GFFN | George Boxall
