Paris Saint-Germain began their Ligue 1 title defense with an impressive 4-1 victory over Le Havre on Friday, marking their first competitive match since Kylian Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid. Lee Kang-in gave PSG an early lead within three minutes, but Gautier Lloris soon equalized for Le Havre. The match turned decisively in the latter stages with goals from Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and a penalty from Randal Kolo Muani securing the win for the reigning champions.
Despite a strong start, PSG faced challenges during the game. The absence of key players, including left-back Nuno Mendes and midfielder Fabian Ruiz, along with the departure of Mbappé, left a significant void. Joao Neves made his debut after joining from Benfica, adding depth to the squad. However, the team struggled with ball retention and had to rely on their substitutes to turn the tide in their favor.
Le Havre, under new coach Didier Digard, had their moments but were ultimately unable to capitalize. Josue Casimir had a goal disallowed by VAR for handball, and Abdoulaye Touré's goal was ruled out for offside. The hosts also saw Abdoulaye Toure’s effort disallowed, which could have put them ahead early in the second half.
PSG’s late surge was crucial as Dembélé, Barcola, and Kolo Muani made significant impacts from the bench. Dembélé scored with a header from a Joao Neves cross, and Barcola added another goal shortly after. Kolo Muani sealed the result with a penalty, highlighting the team's depth and ability to adapt.
As PSG navigates the season without Mbappé, they will need to maintain their form to repeat last season's successes. Monaco and Marseille are among the teams to watch, with Monaco facing Saint-Étienne and Marseille, under Roberto De Zerbi, set to play against Brest, who surprisingly finished third last season.
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