PSG vs Nantes: Undefeated in six league appearances, including five wins and 24 goals, Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe are in great form ahead of their Champions League clash with Juventus next week. Mbappe scored twice with an assist from Lionel Messi as he secured a 3-0 win at 10-man Nantes on Saturday (September 3) to remain leader of the French league.
But Vitinha’s knee injury dealt a blow to the French champions. The Portuguese midfielder was forced off the pitch in the first half after falling on the turf after a late tackle from defender Fabio, who was sent off.
PSG coach Christophe Gaultier said Vitinha made “a big knock on the knee cap” but did not say if he could recover in time for Tuesday’s match against Serie A at the Parc des Princes. Nantes trailed after a brilliant goal from Mbappé in the 17th minute with a curved right footed shot from the left side of the box to the opposite corner. He was set on the break by Messi.
Messi was again the provider for Mbappe’s seventh goal – this time from close range – which was initially rejected for offside in the 53rd but was awarded after a VAR check. Nuno Mendes completed the scoring in the 67th from a rebound after Neymar hit the post. PSG lead undefeated Marseille In the standings on goal difference.
Finally got to see the game of the little magician. Messi Mbappe Linkup is stuff from dreams.#PSG #nantes pic.twitter.com/uF3t3TA4pw
— Project (@norLondonForeve) 3 September 2022
Alexis Sanchez makes amends
After missing a penalty midweek, Alexis Sánchez made amends with his third goal in five league matches to seal Marseille’s 2–0 win at Auxerre. Sanchez, who joined Inter Milan on a free transfer last month to Marseille, came off the bench near the hour mark and sealed Marseille’s fifth league win in the 83rd minute with a short shot from a back pass from Matteo Gandozzi. sealed together.
Marseille have 16 points out of a possible 18. Each time the nine-time champion managed to remain unbeaten in six of her opening matches in the 21st century, she finished the season in the top three. Marseille will travel to Tottenham next week for the start of their Champions League campaign and coach Igor Tudor rotates his players ahead of the big game in London. Tudor made seven changes after missing the opportunity in a 1–0 win against Clermont, leaving Sanchez on the bench.
Marseille’s visitors took only eight minutes to find the net when Gerson scored from a rebound after Cengiz Under dribbled past an Auxerre player in the box and hit the post. Auxerre, who returned to top-flight after an 11-year absence, was under pressure during the first half as Marseille took hold in an efficient 3-4-3 system. The hosts played a better game in the second half but got only half a chance.
Karl Toko-Ekambi scores twice
Karl Toko-Ekambi continued his good form by scoring twice in Lyon’s 5–0 win over struggling Angers. After a decisive midweek with the winner against Auxerre, Toko Ekambi put the hosts in front of his former team in the 31st minute and scored again near the hour mark.
Alexandre Lacazette, Castello Lucaba and Moussa Dembele were also on the scoresheet for third-placed Lyon.
(with PTI input)