Paris get going in 2021!

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Paris Saint-Germain came out on top against Stade Brestois on Matchday 19 of Ligue 1 (3-0). A look back at the encounter.

For his first outing of the year at the Parc des Princes, Mauricio Pochettino opted to maintain a sense of continuity, with Abdou Diallo replacing Thilo Kehrer in a starting eleven focused on Marco Verratti playing behind the attacking trio of Di Maria-Kean-Mbappé. 

The objective of this encounter was clear for the French champions: pick up points in order to kick on in a tight battle for the title. But the start of the match proved it: nothing was going to be easy against a Stade Brestois side that hadn't travelled to the capital to park the bus. Used to playing attacking football, Olivier Dall’Oglio's side took risks in order to test a Paris defence, that was strengthened by Marquinhos and Keylor Navas, who was always ready to come to the rescue of his teammate and he did just that when he denied Faivre (5')  and Pierre-Gabriel (7').

In an unrestrained match, with both sides showing their attacking intentions, Les Parisiens were able to mix things up in order to devour the spaces. And after early chances for Marco Verratti (2') and Angel Di Maria (13'), it was the prolific Moise Kean who once again found the back of the net. The Italian was well placed to turn the ball home after Marquinhos' effort hit the post (1-0, 16').

The opener had an immediate impact on Les Rouge et Bleu's game plan, as they were able to get the ball down and play and calmly bring the ball forward. A snowball effect in a frozen Parc: chances began to rain down in Les Bretons' box. Gautier Larsonneur was called into action to deny another chance for Marquinhos (25') and even a shot from distance from Idrissa Gueye (27'). But Brest, far from being put off by a difficult period, continued to attack. The cat-like Keylor Navas getting down to the feet of Cardona (38') was another example of this.

Les Brestois continued to push in the second half, creating chances of the counter against a serious and united Paris Saint-Germain side. From Navas to Larsonneur, the two goalkeepers were called into action time and time again, stopping no less than 19 shots between the two of them. For Paris, Kylian Mbappé tried everything to find a goal (49', 59', 62', 66', 78'). But it was to be two substitutes that would see Les Parisiens secure the victory. Mauro Icardi, first of all, who perfectly converted an excellent ball from Mbappé, after some delightful work from the Frenchman on his wing (2-0, 81'). And then Pablo Sarabia with a beautiful left-footed strike two minutes later (3-0, 83'). 

At the end of a lively and open encounter, the mission was accomplished for Paris, with a first victory in 2021. The ideal preparation with just days to go before the clash against Olympique de Marseille for the Trophée des Champions, the first piece of silverware on offer this season.