Ligue 1: PSG defeats Monaco 5-2 to maintain their top spot

With five different scores in a thrilling display, Paris St. Germain defeated AS Monaco 5-2 on Friday to solidify their hold on the top place in Ligue 1.

PSG won the match because to goals from Goncalo Ramos, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, and Randal Kolo Muani. Takumi Minamino and Folarin Balogun scored the goals for Monaco.

The team led by Luis Enrique reached 30 points, four more than Nice, who will visit Toulouse on Sunday. Third with 24 points is Monaco.

The Spaniard said during a press conference, “Every fan enjoys a game with seven goals when two teams of this level play a match like today’s.”

The team’s mindset after an international break is what matters most to me. Coaches find it challenging to prepare for a game like this, but the effort paid off, and I’m pleased with the outcome.

Ramos gave PSG the lead in the eighteenth minute when Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Kohn’s rebound was missed. Four minutes later, Minamino, the visitors, equalized after Gianluigi Donnarumma made a mistake.

As Minamino squandered further opportunities before halftime and early in the second half, Donnarumma made amends by keeping the Japan midfielder from scoring another goal.

“Mistakes happen in football; if a defender or goalie makes one, it’s most obvious,” Luis Enrique said.

“Gigi has performed wonderfully; his season has been outstanding, and I am thrilled with it.”

With a penalty kick in the 39th minute, Mbappe gave PSG the lead again, increasing his total as the leading scorer in Ligue 1 to 14 goals this year.

Twenty minutes from time, Dembele extended PSG’s advantage with his first goal of the year. Two minutes later, Vitinha scored a beautiful strike from the outside of the box.

After a nice through ball from Minamino in the 75th, Balogun drew one back for the visitors, but Kolo Muani finished the massacre in stoppage time.

Newcastle United, PSG’s opponents in Group F of the Champions League, will visit PSG on Tuesday.

Luis Enrique said, “Monaco is a team at our level that competes for the title.” “The best way to maintain your position at the top and make it to a crucial Champions League match is to win.”