FEATURE | Three things we learned as Paris Saint-Germain overturned AS Monaco to pave their way to the Champions League last 16

Paris Saint-Germain moved closer to qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 thanks to their victory away to AS Monaco. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first 20 minutes, before Désiré Doué, who also scored a brace, and Achraf Hakimi helped the Parisians turn the game around to win 3-2.

Désiré Doué is not a man to be easily pushed around

The last few days, marked by a poor performance on the pitch at Stade Rennais and indirect criticism from some of his teammates, have certainly not been the easiest that Désiré Doué has had to deal with in his young career. However, even being benched by Luis Enrique tonight was not enough to shake the confidence of the Golden Boy 2025. Quite the contrary. Rather than letting himself be affected by events, Doué has decided to embrace them. To turn them into a strength.

So, when Ousmane Dembélé’s early injury forced him off the pitch after half an hour, giving him the opportunity to make his entrance at the Stade Louis II, the Parisian wasted no time in reminding everyone why he had earned so much praise. In fact, it took him just two minutes to get his name on the scoreboard, scoring his first goal since 4th January.

Ten minutes later, he was also instrumental in Paris’ equaliser, unleashing a powerful shot that forced Philipp Köhn to clumsily parry the ball into the path of Achraf Hakimi, whose alertness saw him beat the Monaco defence to complete the Rouge et Bleu‘s comeback. An explosive coming-on, magnified by a second goal to allow PSG to approach the second leg with a narrow lead.

PSG must resolve their defensive issues

Although it did not cost PSG dearly, this trip to the Principality nevertheless confirmed the defensive problems that the Capital club have been experiencing for several weeks. Of the four shots on target recorded by Monaco tonight, two ended up in Matvey Safonov’s net. In Rennes last Friday, three attempts had the same outcome.

In total, in their last five matches in all competitions, PSG have seen seven of their opponents’ 19 shots on target break through. For an average of one goal conceded for every 2.7 hits on target. A record that obviously raises questions ahead of the European champions’ potential extended adventure in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Because at this level, there is no room for even the slightest error. 

Aleksandr Golovin sees red… again

There was a time when Aleksandr Golovin was talked about as a talented player, but one who was too dependent on his uncertain physical condition. Today, it is another topic of discussion that is likely to generate a lot of ink in the coming hours.

Against PSG, the Russian midfielder received another red card, just four days after being sent off against FC Nantes. A real thorn in the side of the Monegasques, who will have to cope without one of their technical leaders on the pitch at the Parc des Princes. And incidentally, a decisive player, the number 10 who has delivered four assists in his last five games. A blow that his coach, Sébastien Pocognoli, would certainly have done without.

GFFN | Léo Aschi