PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 1-2 PSG: Leaders hold on to punish young Strasbourg side

Paris Saint-Germain entered this Friday night fixture against RC Strasbourg Alsace as heavy favourites despite dropping points at home to Stade Brestois last weekend. Le Racing had lost a key figure in the departure of their experienced goalkeeper Matz Selz, and eyes would be on the performance of Alaa Bellaarouch as he made his league debut for the club between the sticks.

An early penalty conceded was the first test for Bellaarouch after Randal Kolo Muani was brought down in the box by a rash tackle from Lucas Perrin. Kylian Mbappé stood ahead of the penalty and the pressure was on for the debutant. However, he was more than a match for the effort as his dive low and to the left positioned him in the perfect position to save the shot.

Strasbourg carved two important chances early in the game but each failed to find the net despite being agonisingly close. Habib Diarra came the closest when his effort clipped the crossbar and bounced out of play. Strasbourg were soon left ruing those chances.

An impressive start to Bellaarouch’s debut soon became a nightmare as the goalkeeper attempted to play a high position between the centrebacks. His pass out from the back was too telegraphed and the PSG high press caught him out. Marco Asensio blocked his passing lane and Mbappé collected the deflection to score into the open net.

Asensio combined well with Mbappé at the start of the second half. The Frenchman found the Spaniard with ample space in the box. Asensio was cool on the ball as the blue shirts attempted to swallow him whole, hut he picked his spot and fired PSG further ahead.

Viera rotated his wingers which helped the hosts gain a foothold back into the game. Ângelo Gabriel now on the right-hand side, stormed down the wing and delivered a perfect cross to his fellow wideman, Dilane Bakwa who duly scored. Strasbourg almost grabbed a second immediately after as Fabián Ruiz who had been perfect until that moment misplaced a pass, and let the hosts fire a shot straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma.

A late push from Strasbourg was enough to rescue a point against the league leaders. PSG were under pressure but managed to hold on to keep the three points and maintain their grip on first place.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6

Lucas Hernández, 5

Lucas Beraldo, 5

Marquinhos, 7 – His importance to PSG could be measured by how poorly the team coped after his late substitution. The defence were under continuous pressure after he went to the bench, and only managed to hold on to a victory that had until that point looked comfortable.

Carlos Soler, 5

Manuel Ugarte, 5

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6

Fabián Ruiz, 5

Kylian Mbappé, 7

Marco Asensio, 8 – Played a crucial role in both of PSG’s goals and showed exactly what Luis Enrique is looking for in a forward. His selflessness in and out of possession helped facilitate the team.

Randal Kolo Muani, 3 – The expensive forward was provided a rare opportunity to start after Bradley Barcola’s red card against Brest but failed to impress. He struggled to combine well with his teammates and was guilty of holding onto the ball for too long when a pass to Asensio or Mbappé would have opened up the attack.

Alaa Bellaarouch, 5 – A dream league debut for the goalkeeper quickly became a nightmare as he was responsible for providing the league leaders with their opener. His tendency to push up alongside his centrebacks often left the keeper being pressed, and his passing was a touch too slow to turn this into an advantage.

Marvin Senaya, 4 – Very lucky to remain on the pitch in the second half. The defender let the growing tension in the stadium take hold and a rash tackle while he was already on a yellow card.

Ângelo Gabriel, 6 – Quiet first half. Swapped from the left wing to the right-hand side and looked far more influential following the break. The Chelsea loanee was crucial to the opening goal as he delivered an inch-perfect cross to his teammate.

GFFN | Nick Hartland