Paris Saint-Germain achieved its first Ligue1 win of the season by beating promoted LeMans 3-1 at the Parc des Princes on 10 October. The victory, which came after a massive rotation by LuisEnrique, allows the Parisian club to reduce the gap with the leader Monaco to just three points.
LuisEnrique, who had lined up his B team the previous day against Manchester City, decided to rest key players such as OusmaneDembélé and NunoMendes. Instead, the coach left starters like Vitinha, Kvaratskhelia, FabiánRuiz, Doué and Marquinhos on the bench. Despite the absence of FerranTorres, who was recovering from ankle discomfort, PSG had the presence of Digne, DroFernández and Godts, who marked their debut in Ligue1 this season.
The game started calmly. PSG's B unit did not show much force, but managed to open the scoring thanks to a VAR that pointed out a handball by Harold Hoyer when AchrafHakimi was trying to overcome the defense. LucasBeraldo, another novelty, did not miss in his first minute, although LeMans goalkeeper NicolasKocik had to handle several shots. The promoted team showed their character with two clear chances in the first half, but PSG were about to extend their lead when Akliouche headed a header that was saved by Kocik.
The tie came in the 54th minute when LouisMafouta scored after a cross from LucasCalodat. The referee initially disallowed the goal for offside, but the VAR validated it. The second half saw a change of strategy by LuisEnrique, who introduced Vitinha, Kvaratskhelia and FabiánRuiz. Just three minutes later, Kvaratskhelia fired a shot that was saved by the LeMans goalkeeper, and then Fabián hit a powerful shot that was barely stopped by Kocik, giving PSG a 2-1 lead. Akliouche extended the score with a left-footed goal in the 68th minute, his first goal for the club after arriving from Monaco in the summer.
LeMans tried to react with a shot from DameGueye that hit the crossbar, but PSG maintained the advantage thanks to good saves from Safonov and defensive solidity. The match also featured several sanctions, including a yellow for D.Gueye and one for Mafouta, and an expulsion for Bamba and Boissé in the final minutes.
With this victory, PSG advances to 18 points, only three behind the leader Monaco, who ended their day with a 2-2 draw against Toulouse. The Parisian club is preparing for the next phase of the Champions League, while LeMans will continue looking for its first victory in Ligue1.