Less than four months after making its mark on European football by winning the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Europe's premier competition at the Parc des Princes to kick off its new campaign against Atalanta.
For this first European starting eleven of the season, Luis Enrique fielded a central defensive pairing of captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in front of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes took their places on the flanks of the defence, while Vitinha started in midfield alongside João Neves and Fabian Ruiz. Senny Mayulu started in a false 9 role, flanked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola.
Our Parisians, who were reunited with their passionate fans for the occasion, got off to the best possible start: Marquinhos was the instigator of the Rouge et Bleu's high press and ended up receiving a well-placed cross from Fabian Ruiz to open the scoring with his right foot (1-0, 3'). The Parisians were quick out the blocks and pinned the visitors back in their own half.
Soon after, Marquinhos found Nuno Mendes, who made a superb run down the middle but fired his shot just wide (5'). A few minutes later, it was Fabian Ruiz's turn to show his creativity in the Bergamo box, back-heeling the ball to Achraf Hakimi, who saw his snap shot hit the outside of the Italian post (10').
Atalanta couldn't get their heads above water, overwhelmed by the desire and determination of the Parisians, who were already looking for a second goal. Bradley Barcola thought he had doubled the lead after being played in by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but his goal was ruled out for a slight offside (22'). The Parc would have to wait to roar a second time, but not for long.
Kvaratskhelia made sure of that, as he took advantage of a pass from Hakimi to break through the centre and unleash a powerful shot from the edge of the box that gave Marco Carnesecchi no chance (2-0, 39'). But La Dea's goalkeeper kept his team in the game a few minutes later when he saved Bradley Barcola's penalty (44').
From the start of the second half, Luis Enrique's men imposed their rhythm once again. Although the Rouge et Bleu once again dominated as a team, this did not prevent individual players from shining. Nuno Mendes, for example, was outstanding on the left wing, bursting into the Italian box at full speed and beating Marten de Roon before sliding the ball between the near post and the opposing goalkeeper's foot (3-0, 51').
With their backs against the wall, the Bergamo side tentatively attempted to get back into the game, but neither Mario Pašalić (56') nor Nikola Krstovic (63') managed to trouble Lucas Chevalier. Gonçalo Ramos came on in the second half and quickly showed his appetite for a goal, coming close to beating the Italian defence (65' and 76'). Ibrahim Mbaye also impressed in his European debut, but was denied by the alert Carnesecchi (83').
Despite their lead on the scoreboard, the Rouge et Bleu continued to attack and Gonçalo Ramos, alert to a misunderstanding in the opposition defence, was finally rewarded (4-0, 90'+1). At the end of a one-sided match, Paris Saint-Germain won comfortably and got their new European campaign off to the best possible start. Now it's time for Ligue 1 and Le Classique, this Sunday in Marseille (8:45pm), for the second important fixture of the week. The countdown is on!