PSG and Troyes contested in a goal-fest at the Parc Des Princes as Kylian Mbappe’s penalty proved crucial in securing a win.
Paris Saint-Germain’s glittering trio of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet as they narrowly beat Troyes at home. After three minutes on the clock, the visitors took a shock lead through Mama Balde and stunned the PSG fans.
As PSG searched for an equaliser, the levelling goal came through Carlos Soler. After taking a brilliant lift from Neymar, the Spaniard rounded off the goalkeeper and slotted it into the empty net. The scores were level at the break, and a great second half awaited those watching the game.
Troyes shook the home crowd once more after the restart. Balde again was allowed plenty of space to take aim at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal. The attacker fired a thunderous shot past the goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead again.
That lead lasted barely three minutes as Messi weaved his magic to level the score. The Argentine international blasted his shot from 30 yards, giving the Troyes goalkeeper no chance of saving. Messi then turned provider after finding Neymar with a defence-splitting pass, as the Brazilian gave PSG the lead.
Later, Mbappe stepped up from the spot to put the result beyond Troyes’s reach. Soler was fouled inside the box as he earned the penalty. And that goal proved pivotal as Troyes had more to offer in the coming moments.
Ante Palaversa made matters nervy for the home crowd as he pulled a goal back in the 88th minute. But PSG held on and took all three points and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 28 games. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Christophe Galtier’s men.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 4/10
Donnarumma had no chance to save any of the three goals scored by Troyes. Maybe his positioning was not all that great in the game, and he sometimes lacked in his distribution. There were a few saves on show from the Italian international to keep the scoreline comfortable.
Nordi Mukiele: 6/10
Mukiele deputised for Achraf Hakimi and did a fine job at the back. He was up to a tough task against Wilson Odobert, who beat him occasionally. Yet, Mukiele held his ground more than once and won nine of his 14 duels. Additionally, the defender won four tackles and made three interceptions and a solitary clearance.
Sergio Ramos: 4/10
📊🔝 @SergioRamos has not lost any of his first 30 matches with Paris in all competitions.
A record for a player in the colors of PSG (exceeding that established by @rai10oficial – 29).#PSGESTAC
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 29, 2022
Defensively, Ramos was decent and even provided an assist at the other end for Messi’s goal. Yet, there are question marks about his reading of the game and positional play. Those problems will continue to cost PSG goals and points if they are not sharp at the other end.
Presnel Kimpembe: 5.5/10
Kimpembe also posed a few problems at the back. And sometimes in the absence of Marquinhos, he can be a little wayward. Yet, the defender had a decent game at the back, making himself big on occasion.
Juan Bernat: 6/10
Bernat was lively down the flank, always looking to get forward and contribute to the action in the final third. At times, he left space for the Troyes attackers to exploit but generally took care of it.
Carlos Soler: 7.5/10
Soler made another mark on this team and continued his good displays for PSG. Against Troyes, he made a telling contribution by chipping in with the first goal and then winning the crucial penalty that eventually proved the match-winner.
Marco Verratti: 7/10
Verratti bossed the midfield and completed 94 per cent of his passes. He was a force in the middle, winning five tackles and many duels. His presence gave PSG the impetus to move forward as the Italian offered plenty of protection to his backline.
Vitinha: 6.5/10
Another eventful display from the Portuguese midfielder, as he looked sharp alongside Verratti. Much like the Italian international, Vitinha made several tackles and one interception to keep control of the midfield areas.
Lionel Messi: 8/10
Nobody has been directly involved in more goals for club and country this season than 35-year-old Lionel Messi
Timeless 🐐 pic.twitter.com/U9RRuria89
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 29, 2022
The master was in play at the Parc Des Princes as Messi, the player to watch in our preview, continued his brilliant form for PSG. Not only did he get the second equaliser, but he also set up Neymar with a defence-splitting pass for the third strike. Finally, the trio of Parisian attackers are gelling together and forming a lethal partnership.
Neymar: 8/10
Like Messi, Neymar weaved his magic around the final third in decisive fashion. He opened the Troyes defence with a brilliant lifted pass to Soler for the first equaliser. Neymar then took Messi’s pass to help take the lead for the first time, thus capping off an influential performance.
Neymar's back to his best this season 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Sa993tPmdO
— GOAL (@goal) October 29, 2022
Kylian Mbappe: 7/10
Despite getting the all-important fourth goal, Mbappe was not at his best in the game. Neymar and Messi turned on the heat in the final third, and Mbappe could not find the goal despite attempting five shots before the spot kick.
SUBSTITUTES
Marquinhos: 6/10
Marquinhos came on to protect the lead and did some important work at the back.
Fabian Ruiz: 6/10
Ruiz replaced the imperious Vitinha and got quality in the middle of the park.
Renato Sanches: 5.5/10
After coming on, Sanches added a bit of energy, and this display will do his confidence some good.
Nuno Mendes: N/A
Did not play enough to get a rating.
Pablo Sarabia: N/A
A late cameo, but he did not play enough to get a rating.
