Safonov, Hakimi (C) (Doué, 72'), Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Digne, Neves (Zaïre-Emery, 58'), Beraldo (Vitinha, 59'), Dro (Ruiz, 58'), Akliouche, Ferran, Godts (Kvaratskhelia, 59').
A month after their last match in the capital, the Rouge et Bleu were back in front of the passionate Parc des Princes crowd as they took on Le Mans. The Sang et Or did not look like they had come to sit back, but it was Paris who took control of proceedings. Led by captain for the evening Achraf Hakimi, who won a penalty just after the quarter-hour mark, the club from the capital opened the scoring thanks to Lucas Beraldo’s composure from the spot (1-0, 19').
But against a fearless promoted side, reflecting their impressive start to life in the top flight, Matvey Safonov had to make a crucial intervention at Louis Mafouta’s feet (29'). Le Mans responded, with their captain Samuel Yohou sending a shiver through the Parisian defence (34'). Having weathered the storm, Luis Enrique’s side pushed forward again towards the end of the first half, with Lucas Digne finding Maghnes Akliouche, whose angled header forced a fine save from Nicolas Kocik (43').
After the break, however, it was Le Mans who struck first, with Louis Mafouta equalising following a cross from Lucas Calodat (1-1, 54'). Despite the setback, Les Parisiens did not lose their composure, helped by their substitutes: Fabian Ruiz unleashed a shot that the Le Mans goalkeeper parried, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was on hand to follow up and restore the Rouge et Bleu’s lead just after the hour mark (2-1, 61').
This time, the machine seemed to be up and running, and Maghnes Akliouche showed great inspiration to score his first goal for the club from the capital and give his side a two-goal cushion (3-1, 68')! The visitors responded through Dame Gueye, whose effort struck the crossbar (71'), as well as Samuel Yohou (78') and William Harhouz (78'), but they were unable to find a way back into the game. The Rouge et Bleu made it three consecutive league victories and moved provisionally up to 5th place in the league table.
The joy of Maghnes Akliouche, scorer of Paris’ third goal of the evening and on target for the very first time in a Paris Saint-Germain shirt!
