After a week-long international break, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 action at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 8, hosting a Strasbourg side sitting third in the standings before kick-off, just one point behind Les Rouge et Bleu.
The match got off to a flying start thanks to the returning Désiré Doué, who produced a curling right-foot shot that forced Mike Penders into action for the first time (3'). Moments later, the French international found himself in a dangerous position and delivered a perfectly timed ball for Bradley Barcola, who stroked a right-footed effort past the Strasbourg goalkeeper (1-0, 6').
The early opener was an ideal start to the match for the capital club, and the visitors were obliged to hit back just to stay in the game. Joaquín Panichelli and Julio Enciso clearly understood the assignment, but the two South Americans were thwarted by the excellent Lucas Chevalier, who made a spectacular double save from close range (11'). However, Panichelli wasn't about to give up, and the imposing RCSA centre forward managed to equalise - scoring his sixth of the season - with a header fifteen minutes later (1-1, 26').
The tone was set in this top-of-the-table duel, and Les Rouge et Bleu had to get back on the front foot. However, it was Strasbourg who brought the danger first, with Julio Enciso sliding his way into the Parisian box before seeing his attempt fall just centimetres wide of Lucas Chevalier's post (37'). Under the pump, Paris conceded a second goal before the break, Valentin Barco teeing up Diego Moreira to give his side the lead (1-2, 41').
It was the same story after the break, with Racing once again clinical in front of goal. Diego Moreira picked out Joaquín Panichelli in the box, and the Argentine duly scored his second of the game (1-3, 49'). With their backs against the wall, the Parisians needed a strong second-half performance to unsettle a visiting side looking more confident than ever. Ibrahim Mbaye sparked the comeback by breaking down the right wing and setting up Gonçalo Ramos, who forced Mike Penders into a double save (53').
It was only a matter of time before the Portuguese centre forward got his reward a few minutes later. After Désiré Doué won a penalty, Ramos stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, beating Penders and getting Les Rouge et Bleu back into the game just before the hour-mark (2-3, 58'). Spurred on by the Parc des Princes crowd, the Parisians then set about looking for a third goal, with Ramos trying his luck again only to see his shot deflected for a corner by the Strasbourg defence (62').
Ten minutes later, the capital club produced a superb team move, but Lee Kang-In's powerful shot hit the post before the Strasbourg goalkeeper intervened to deny Ramos (72'). Although luck had eluded Les Rouge et Bleu thus far, they were not about to be discouraged.
Picked out on the right side of the Alsatian area, Senny Mayulu took his chance - despite the tight angle - and forced the save from Mike Penders before nodding the rebound home past the helpless Belgian 'keeper (3-3, 79')! Electrified by this equaliser, the Parc des Princes crowd cheered ever louder to spur on their heroes. The outcome of the match hung in the balance, but neither Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (84') nor Joaquín Panichelli (85') could quite manage to tip the scales in their team's favour.
And, even though Paris kept believing until the very end, Luis Enrique's men were unable to bag a miraculous added-time winner. At the end of a particularly intense match, Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg each took a share of the spoils. On Friday evening, Paris remained atop the Ligue 1 standings ahead of Tuesday's trip to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen on Champions League Matchday 3 (21:00).
