With Ligue 1 making way for the World Cup until Christmas, we’re taking you back through 5 key stats from the first half of Paris Saint-Germain's season.
A breathtaking attack
With the 0-5 win at Clermont in the opening game of the season, then the 5-2 win over Montpellier on Matchday 2, Paris became the first team to complete a "double manita" in the first two matches of a league campaign since Stade de Reims in 1961-1962.
In a blaring start to the season, Paris Saint-Germain scored 24 goals in their first six Ligue 1 matches this season, even managing to equal the team goalscoring records for a team in the top five European leagues at this stage in the season in the 21st century (24 for Manchester City in 2019/20 and Bayern Munich in 2020/21).
Against Lille, Les Parisiens scored 7 away goals in Ligue 1 for the second time in the club's history after the 9-0 win at Troyes (le 13/03/2016). In the match against Les Lillois, Kylian Mbappé scored the fastest goal in the club from the capital's history, beating Paul Le Guen's record (13 seconds, against APOEL FC on 28/09/1993 in the Cup Winners' Cup).
And that's not all, given that Kylian Mbappé also became the top scorer in Ligue 1 in the 21st century (147 goals, including 131 with Paris). The French forward has now scored 87 goals at the Parc des Princes in competitive matches. He now sits ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (85 goals) and has taken another step closer to the club record holder: Edinson Cavani (110 goals).
As for Neymar Jr, who was yet to find the back of the net against Brest, he has now scored at least one goal against each of the 25 teams he has faced in the top-flight. The Brazilian has scored 115 goals for Paris across all competitions, becoming the fourth top scorer in the history of the club from the capital, ahead of Pedro Miguel Pauleta (109). Only Edinson Cavani (200 goals), Kylian Mbappé (190 goals) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (156 goals) have better records in Rouge et Bleu.
Marco Verratti, Marquinhos & Neymar Jr: another step into the history books
Parisiens Marco Verratti and Marquinhos have both played more than 250 matches in Ligue 1 for Paris. Against Lille, the Italian midfielder became the sixth player to reach the total in the top-flight, before Marquinhos became the 7th during the victory over Lorient (1-2). Only Jean-Marc Pilorget (371 matches), Safet Susic (286 matches), Sylvain Armand (285 matches), Mustapha Dahleb (268 matches) and Joël Bats (253 matches) have played more matches for Les Rouge et Bleu.
In playing the entire match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille on 16 October, Marco Verratti also played in his 20th Classique since arriving in Paris: a feat that has never been achieved by an outfield player from either team! With another win (1-0), his record against Les Phocéens is extraordinary: 20 matches, 14 wins, 4 draws and just one defeat.
Finally, Neymar played his 100th Ligue 1 match during the win over Olympique Lyonnais (0-1). At the same time, the Brazilian international became the first player to be directly involved in 121 goals in 100 league appearances in the 21st century, with 77 goals and 44 assists.
A TEAM WITH EXEMPLARY CHARACTER
Monaco and Reims are the only teams in the league to have been able to halt Les Parisiens in this first part of the season, with two draws. Against Les Monégasques (1-1), Christophe Galtier's side had conceded the opener.
Proof of the team's abnegation, Les Parisiens have picked up 26 points from a losing position since the start of the Ligue 1 season. It's a record over the period for a team in the top 5 European leagues, ahead of German side Hoffenheim and their 25 points.
An UNBEATEN record
After the win in the final match of the first part of the season against AJ Auxerre, Paris are currently on a 25-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 (20 wins, 5 draws). They are the only team in Europe to have achieved such a feat.
Even more impressive at home, Paris Saint-Germain haven't lost in their last 29 matches at home in Ligue 1. It's by far the best ongoing run in the top 5 European leagues, given that it's more than double the number of matches of their closest rival, Bayern Munich (14).
The club from the capital now boast 31 consecutive matches without defeat across all competitions (24 wins, 7 draws), the third best record in the club's history. To beat another record, they will need to beat the run between August 1993 and April 1994 (37 matches).
Sergio Ramos - THe lucky charm
Our centre-back Sergio Ramos has beaten a record, and not just any one. The Spanish international hasn't lost any of his 33 matches played for Paris across all competitions, a first for a player playing in Rouge et Bleu.
The previous record was held by Brazilian Rai, who arrived at Paris Saint-Germain on the eve of the 1993-1994 season. He was unbeaten in the Paris shirt in his first 29 matches for the club.
A look back on the first half of the L1 season (1/3) - The 5 KEY MATches