Paris Saint-Germain – AS Monaco: Individual Brilliance Made To Decide A Goalfest (5-2)
Ligue 1 returned after the latest international break with an intriguing top-of-the-table clash between leaders Paris Saint-Germain and third-placed Monaco, who started the game three points behind them. After a thoroughly entertaining match, the gap between them widened as the defending champions' superior individual quality seemed to prove decisive.
Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat.
Luis Enrique had certainly succeeded in settling things down at Paris Saint-Germain after arriving in the summer, as they now had a clear tactical identity after the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar parted ways. Whether these departures have actually helped make them better is a debate for another day, but they unquestionably remain the strongest side in France. We can safely say that even though they have not led the way in the standings for much of the season so far, and in any case, they started the weekend at the very top with an opportunity to lay down a marker.
Along with Nice, Monaco have looked like the only team who can even come close to keeping up with them in Ligue 1. Adi Hütter has had a similarly positive impact on them after joining in the summer, although a whole host of injuries mean that what his ideal team looks like is still slightly unclear. Even so, he has managed to get them playing an exciting brand of football with a lot of goals scored (and a fair few conceded) which has helped them amass 24 points in twelve games.
Paris Saint-Germain lined up in a 4-3-3 formation yet again. Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal behind . . .
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