ASM 0-2 PSG

PSG went down 2-0 away to Monaco on Sunday. The hosts left it late thanks to goals from Park (86’) and Nenê (89’).

Despite a good performance, PSG suffered their first defeat of the season in the dying minutes, which also saw Stéphane Sessegnon sent off (90’).

Yet it was the Parisians who made the better start to the match. Armand (13’), Giuly (16’) and Clément (22’) all forced Ruffier into saves. Monaco fought back through Djimi Traoré who, one-on-one with Coupet, failed to hit the target (24’). Traoré’s chance marked the start of the hosts’ best spell of the game. Park (26’) and Alonso (28’, 31’) both tried their luck but were thrice denied by Grégory Coupet.

But Monaco’s openings only served to jolt PSG back into the game. Hoarau nodded down to Giuly and his half-volley was again saved by the ASM shot-stopper (37’). Guy Lacombe’s players bounced back again with Nenê shooting wide (41’) and Gudjohnsen doing likewise (42’). Those efforts brought the curtain down on a hugely entertaining opening 45 minutes which somehow finished scoreless.

The Parisians emerged from half-time at breakneck speed. Luyindula released Giuly but the former Monaco legend couldn’t hit the target (47’). The intensity began to wane and it was Monaco that took advantage when Park found himself clean through on Coupet’s goal. His powerful finish beating the PSG custodian (1-0,86’). PSG tried to respond immediately and Luyindula’s header flashed just wide of the top corner of Ruffier’s goal (87’). Les Monégasques grew in stature and Nenê ended the match as a contest with a precise angled finish from just inside the box (2-0, 89’). The nightmare wasn’t over though, and Sessegnon received his marching orders in an altercation with a Monaco defender (90’).

Lady Luck had abandoned the Parisians on Sunday evening. The capital club produced a good performance but couldn’t beat Ruffier in the home side’s goal. Antoine Kombouaré’s men will be hoping Madame Luck returns for next Sunday’s home clash with Lyon at the Parc des Princes.