4 matches, 4 wins, 16 goals scored and only 3 conceded. Before facing Girona on Wednesday evening, for the first day of the 2024/2025 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain, leader of L1, was full of confidence against Stade Brestois (3-1). Trailing after the penalty converted by Romain Del Castillo, Luis Enrique’s men finally found the resources necessary to overthrow Eric Roy’s flock. In the wake of a brilliant Ousmane Dembélé who scored twice, PSG thus regained the lead in the French championship. “It was a victory thanks to our work, our consistency, our faith. It was very complete, perfect to prepare for the Champions League.”Luis Enrique rejoiced at a press conference.
An offensive game leaning to the right
An evening where everything was not perfect, however, like the timid performances of Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves or Marco Asensio, clumsy in front of goal, but where the Red and Blue shone with their undeniable and uncontested strength on the right flank. Symbols of this solid backbone in the game proposed by the Parisians? Achraf Hakimi and Kang-In Lee, perfect complements to Ousmane Dembélé. Starting at right-back and designated captain of the evening in the absence of Marquinhos, the 25-year-old Moroccan shone. Solid defensively, the 1m81 right-hander did not leave much to his direct opponent, Abdallah Dipo Sima, like his decisive return when he was several meters behind his Brest counterpart. And what can we say about the offensive contribution of the former Madrid player.
In all the good moves during this 4th day of Ligue 1, Hakimi, credited with a 7 by the FM editorial staff, has continued to wet the jersey to propose offensively and his partners have not hesitated to look for him. Still as accomplice with Ousmane Dembélé, he has thus multiplied the sharp climbs and the precise centers. Without the clumsiness of Marco Asensio, the Madrid native could have also improved his statistics. Decisive passer on the gem of Fabian Ruiz, the Moroccan international (79 caps, 9 goals) has in any case confirmed his very good start to the season. With athletic qualities above average, he has also come to lend a hand to his midfielders, less visible than usual.
Lee shone, Hakimi is the boss!
“To be honest, what I liked the most was the Parc des Princes and my 16 players who always tried to win the ball back. I like to see this connection between the public and the team.”added Luis Enrique, proud of the collective performance. However, and even though PSG continues to offer a polished game where everyone makes the effort for their teammate, certain individuals stand out. In the wake of Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, how can we not mention the performance given by Kang-In Lee. Positioned a notch higher, in a role of right-wing midfielder, the 23-year-old South Korean also brought all his qualities.
Technique, finesse, vision of the game, impact in duels (10/15), initiatives in front of the opposing goal, defensive involvement at all times… The former Mallorca player, credited with a 6.5 by the editorial staff, certainly did not score but will remain one of the great architects of this success. Comfortable between the lines, he thus set the tempo on an evening where the Parisian midfielder did not particularly shine, like Joao Neves, much more withdrawn. Enough also to confirm his excellent start to the season in Parisian colours (2 goals in 4 matches). Present in the mixed zone a few minutes after the match, the Incheon native did not hide his pleasure, specifying his pride in coming out the winner of a complicated match against a tenacious Brestois.
Asked at the microphone of DAZNEric Roy also did not fail to salute the performance of the Parisian number 19. “It was tough, PSG are a great team. Collectively, PSG are stronger than last season and they are doing impressive counter-pressing. There is frustration, but the PSG team was better than ours. Kang-in Lee really impressed me.”. On an evening where Bradley Barcola had much less weight and where the midfield lacked influence, the reigning French champions thus demonstrated another improvement: the new star of PSG is called collective and all the elements constituting this group are, today, bringing their stone to the building. Excellent news before welcoming Girona, Wednesday evening, for the first European clash of the season…
