Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered their first setback under the leadership of new manager Luis Enrique, as they were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Nice in a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The match saw Terem Moffi of Nice make an early impact, breaking the deadlock with a deflected shot that found its way into the bottom corner of the PSG net. But PSG’s superstar, Kylian Mbappe, responded swiftly with a clinical first-time strike from the edge of the penalty area, showcasing his world-class talent and bringing PSG back on level terms.
However, the rollercoaster continued as Gaetan Laborde bundled the ball into the net to put Nice ahead once more. Nigeria’s Terem Moffi, who was having an exceptional game, added to Nice’s lead with a magnificent strike from 18 yards out, leaving PSG trailing by two goals.
The PSG faithful still had hope, and it was none other than Mbappe who provided a glimmer of it. His flying volley displayed his incredible athleticism and reduced the deficit for PSG. It marked Mbappe’s seventh goal in just four games this season, a remarkable feat considering his tumultuous preseason, during which he was excluded from the squad due to a contract dispute.
On the managerial front, Nice, led by the youthful 34-year-old Italian Francesco Farioli, outshone their illustrious rivals PSG on the night, propelling themselves into second place in the table, just behind Monaco.
Before the kickoff, PSG paid tribute to Marco Verratti, a midfield maestro who had won the Ligue 1 title an impressive nine times with the club. Verratti had recently completed a move to Qatari side Al-Arabi, marking the end of an era for the PSG faithful.
In terms of statistics, PSG dominated possession with 69%, but Nice showed their clinical edge with 31% possession and eight shots on target compared to PSG’s three. The game was intense, with 17 fouls committed by Nice, reflecting their determination to secure this historic victory.
While it may be Luis Enrique’s first defeat as PSG boss, this match showcased the unpredictability and excitement that football fans love. It’s a reminder that in the world of sports, anything can happen, even when you have a superstar like Mbappe on your side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PSG’s First Defeat
Q: Who scored for PSG in the match against Nice?
A: Kylian Mbappe was the standout performer for PSG, scoring twice in the match.
Q: How did the match end for PSG in terms of the final score?
A: Unfortunately for PSG, they suffered their first defeat under new boss Luis Enrique, with the final score being 3-2 in favor of Nice.
Q: Who scored the opening goal for Nice?
A: Terem Moffi scored the opening goal for Nice with a deflected shot into the bottom corner.
Q: How did Kylian Mbappe respond after Nice took the lead?
A: Kylian Mbappe responded swiftly with a first-time shot from the edge of the area, leveling the score for PSG.
Q: What was significant about Kylian Mbappe’s performance in this match?
A: Mbappe’s performance was remarkable as he scored his seventh goal in just four games this season, despite a disrupted preseason due to a contract dispute.
Q: What was the impact of this match on the Ligue 1 standings?
A: Nice moved above PSG in the Ligue 1 table, securing the second position behind Monaco.
Q: What was the possession and shot statistics for both teams?
A: PSG dominated possession with 69%, but Nice had a clinical edge with 31% possession and eight shots on target compared to PSG’s three.
Q: Who was honored by PSG before the kickoff?
A: PSG paid tribute to Marco Verratti, a midfielder who had won the Ligue 1 title nine times with the club, marking his departure to Qatari side Al-Arabi.
More about PSG’s First Defeat
- BBC Sport: Paris St-Germain 2-3 Nice: Luis Enrique suffers first defeat as PSG boss
- Ligue 1 Official Website
- Kylian Mbappe Profile
- Nice Football Club
- Marco Verratti’s Move to Al-Arabi
