PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 1 – 4 PSG: Les Parisiens punish lacklustre Lyon

Ligue 1, Round 4, 03/09/23

OL managed to beat a stuttering Paris Saint-Germain the last time these two sides met, but this time around a rejuvenated PSG with Luis Enrique at the helm punished an Olympique Lyonnais team in turmoil. 

Lyon invited unnecessary pressure when playing out of the back from minute one. Tolisso was punished for receiving Lopes’ pass casually, with Ugarté dispossessing him expertly. The former Bayern midfielder pulled down the Uruguayan and gave away a blatant penalty. Mbappé made no mistake from the spot, despite Lopes getting something to his penalty, and gave Les Parisiens the lead after three minutes. 

PSG controlled possession throughout the first half and it wasn’t long before Lyon’s defence was breached once again. Ousmane Dembélé was allowed to drift inside far too easily and whip in a tempting cross which Lopes parried into danger. Hakimi picked up the loose ball and managed to convert at the second time of asking. 

A pinpoint pass from Ugarté spilt the Lyon defence with ease to put Asensio through one-on-one with Lopes. The Spaniard calmly sidefooted beyond the Portuguese stopper to put the game to bed before the half-time whistle had even been blown. It wouldn’t get any easier for Lyon fans before the break either with the ball being given away cheaply on the halfway line with Asensio capitalising and threading Mbappé through one-on-one to slide the ball beyond Lopes. PSG led 4-0 at the break. 

The second half was a much more even contest with PSG taking their foot off the pedal somewhat. Lyon grew into the game and Nuamah had a glorious opportunity on his debut but Donnarumma denied him. Zaïre-Emery fouled Tagliafico to deny him on the rebound and OL had some reprieve with a penalty awarded. Tolisso made amends for giving away a penalty earlier in the match by sending Donnarumma the wrong way but the damage was already done. Following the defeat, Lyon now sit at the foot of the table. 

Lyon player ratings: 

Anthony Lopes – 5

Clinton Mata – 5

Duje Ćaleta-Car – 3

Sinaly Diomandé – 3

Nicolás Tagliafico –  5

Corentin Tolisso – 4

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 4

Maxence Caqueret – 4

Ernest Nuamah – 6 – The Ghanaian was the only bright spark for Lyon on what otherwise was a dismal night for Les Gones. In a confidence-filled display, he was involved in most of OL’s best-attacking phases and looked dynamic with the ball at his feet. He’s one to watch.  

Tino Kadewere – 3

Rayan Cherki – 5

PSG player ratings: 

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7

Achraf Hakimi – 7

Marquinhos – 6

Milan Škriniar – 6

Lucas Hernandez – 6

Manuel Ugarté – 8 – The Uruguyan has been sublime at the base of Luis Enrique’s midfield three thus far this season and tonight was no different. His awareness to win the ball back and then spring PSG onto the counter was the key ingredient in a brilliant counter-attacking display from Les Parisiens.

Vitinha – 7

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 5

Ousmane Dembélé – 7

Marco Asensio – 8  – The Spaniard acted as the glue between the midfield and attack. He played the false-nine role expertly and showed a brilliant understanding with Kylian Mbappé. Kolo Muani may have a difficult time forcing his way into a starting role if he continues to play in such a fashion. 

Kylian Mbappé – 8 – The Frenchman was the starman once again for Les Parisiens. With two goals and a great understanding with his fellow attackers, Mbappé showed exactly what PSG were missing in the opening match of the season – him. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith