DStv Channel 403 Wednesday, 25 December 2024

Revamped PSG see off Toulouse before Bayern clash

PARIS - A revamped Paris Saint-Germain dominated Toulouse 3-0 at home on Friday to maintain their cushion on Ligue 1 rivals Monaco before next week's Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.

The French champions are six points clear of Monaco, who earlier beat Brest 3-2, but languish outside the top 24 in the new single-table format in Europe, with a trip to Munich coming up next Tuesday.

"It's important to arrive full of confidence," said coach Luis Enrique.

"In Ligue 1 our statistics are exceptional but in the Champions League we are far from our level. You have to be good in the important moments."

The Parisians' proved efficient on front of goal despite top players including Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vitinha rested or on the bench.

Luis Enrique reshuffled with Yoram Zague, 18, coming in at left-back in place of Nuno Mendes, Milan Skriniar and Lucas Beraldo in central defence, Desire Doue in midfield and Matvey Safonov in goal.

Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves opened the scoring with a volley served up from captain Achraf Hakimi after 35 minutes at the Parc des Princes where the home fans terracing was partially closed after homophobic chants last month.

PSG were never under threat with Lucas Beraldo doubling their advantage after 84 minutes and Vitinha adding a third seven minutes later to keep the champions unbeaten in Ligue 1.

Despite the convincing win Luis Enrique said his team needed to up their game against Bayern Munich who won 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday after a Harry Kane hat-trick. 

"It was important tonight but there are four Champions League finals left," said the Spaniard.

Toulouse, who won three games without conceding a goal before the international break and the only team to beat PSG in their previous 40 league matches, stay in 10th place.

Monaco tightened their grip on second place against Brest, who like the hosts, face a demanding Champions League match on Tuesday.

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