PSG Player Ratings vs Clermont Foot: Neymar and Messi drop perfect 10s in five-star win

Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their defence of the Ligue 1 title with a resounding 5-0 away win over Clermont Foot.

Paris Saint-Germain started the new season in fine fashion, scoring five past a hapless Clermont Foot, with Lionel Messi getting on the scoresheet twice. The Ligue 1 champions were ruthless since the start of the match and gave no room for the hosts to make a comeback.

Neymar gave them the lead in the ninth minute before Achraf Hakimi doubled their advantage in the 26th minute. Then it was Marquinhos’s turn to get on the scoresheet, who scored his team’s third goal in the 38th minute to go into half-time with a healthy 3-0 advantage.

It was then Lionel Messi’s turn to open his account in the ongoing season, and he scored not one but two goals, which is one-third of what he scored in all of the 2021/22 league season. He will hope to continue in a similar vein as the season progresses and add many more goals to his tally to leave behind the disappointment of the last season. Here’s how the PSG players fared in the 5-0 win over Clermont Foot.

Gianluigi Donnarumma: 6/10

The Italy international did not have much to do in the encounter and made just one save to maintain his clean sheet.

Sergio Ramos: 7/10

Ramos, like his goalkeeper, did not have much to do defensively as Clermont had just one shot on target while having just 39 per cent possession.

Marquinhos: 8/10

The Brazilian centre-back scored PSG’s third goal of the night and was also solid defensively, even though there was not much that he could contribute with at the back.

Presnel Kimpembe: 7/10

Kimpembe has been linked with an exit all summer amid interest from Chelsea, but he did well when asked to take the field in the league opener for PSG. He made three interceptions and was dribbled past just once.

Achraf Hakimi: 8/10

The right wing-back showed exactly why he has been highly sought-after all across Europe. The Morocco international scored PSG’s second goal, and also made two key passes while completing a long ball. Both his crosses found a teammate as well.

Vitinha: 6/10

The new PSG signing looked decent in the centre of the park alongside Marco Verratti, completing 91 per cent of his attempted passes. Vitinha also took a shot on goal and completed a long pass.

Marco Verratti: 7/10

Verratti was again solid in the centre of the park and was fairly busy, making a total of 112 touches on the ball. He completed 93 per cent of his passes and made four tackles and one clearance as well. He was taken off in the 82nd minute.

Nuno Mendes: 7/10

The left wing-back did well to contribute on both ends of the pitch, playing a key pass and also taking two shots. Defensively, Mendes made a clearance and won three of his 10 ground duels.

Pablo Sarabia: 6/10

Sarabia was probably the least effective of the players who started for PSG. He made just 32 touches of the ball and played one key pass while completing just 79 per cent of his passes.

Lionel Messi: 10/10

A perfect outing for the Argentine forward, who scored twice and also assisted Neymar’s goal. His second was scored off a bicycle kick following a cross from Leandro Paredes. The central role naturally helps Messi bring out his best. Six of his eight dribbles were successful, while he played four key passes and completed all three of his attempted long balls.

Neymar: 10/10

Neymar dropped a perfect 10 as well, scoring once and assisting three goals. He played as many as six key passes, including four big chances created. The Brazilian also successfully completed all four crosses that he attempted. More of the same from the former Barcelona winger and no one will be able to stop PSG from winning the elusive Champions League title.

SUBSTITUTES

Leandro Paredes: 7/10

Paredes came on for Vitinha in the 67th minute and assisted Messi’s second goal. He completed 97 per cent of his attempted passes, including three long balls.

Nordi Mukiele: 6/10

Mukiele came on for Ramos in the 67th minute. He completed 20 of his attempted 23 passes.

Hugo Ekitike: N/A

Ekitike came on in the 78th minute of the match for Sarabia. He made just seven touches of the ball.

Juan Bernat: N/A

Bernat came on for Mendes in the 78th minute, making just eight touches of the ball.

Warren Zaire-Emery: N/A

Zaire-Emery came on in the 82nd minute for Verratti and did not do enough to warrant a rating.