Paris run the show in Angers

On the eve of the second international break of the season, Paris Saint-Germain travelled to Angers to take on Alexandre Dujeux's men, who are back in the top flight after a season's absence. A few days after a physically demanding match against Atlético Madrid, Luis Enrique made a number of tactical adjustments. To protect the Parisian goal, tended by Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Spanish coach lined up a new central defensive pairing for the season comprising Marquinhos and Milan Skriniar. Achraf Hakimi started at right-back, while Lucas Beraldo replaced Nuno Mendes on the other flank. In midfield, Senny Mayulu marked his second start of the season by lining up in a three-man midfield alongside Warren Zaïre-Emery and Fabian Ruiz and behind the scintillating attacking trio of Kang-in Lee, Marco Asensio and Bradley Barcola - also a first this season.

From the outset, the Parisians suffocated their opponents with their relatively high positioning and total control of possession, and Les Rouge et Bleus' first opportunity was not long in coming. Launched down the right flank, Achraf Hakimi beat Florent Hanin to deliver a cross for Kang-In Lee, whose first-time effort narrowly missed the target (5'). Les Rouge et Bleu were in control for the first quarter of an hour, and looked to stretch their play to try and break through the hosts' compact defensive set-up. Bradley Barcola's cross, unfortunately just inches short, sent shivers down the spines of the Stade Raymond-Kopa faithful (12').

The Parisians were soon rewarded for their excellent start, however. Ideally positioned in the Angers penalty area, Lee conjured a first-time right-footed effort from Marco Asensio's low cross for a superb opener (17', 0-1). The goal was followed by another for the South Korean, who took advantage of another pinpoint Asensio cross - and some lax marking - to score his first brace for the capital club (20', 0-2). This second goal served as real wake-up call for Angers, who quickly proved more enterprising and drew Gianluigi Donnarumma into action. But these chances were nipped in the bud by the Parisians, who were omnipresent in all areas of the game, as Bradley Barcola's excellent tracking back (27') demonstrated.

As solid in defence as he may have been, our number 29 showed his real worth in front of goal, the French international taking advantage of another Asensio assist to widen the gap (31', 0-3). Despite the scoreline, Angers did not give up - far from it. Determined to give their fans something to cheer about, and to bring some suspense back into the match, the hosts created several clear-cut chances. However, attempts by Belkebla (34'), Allevinah (38') and El Melali (41') failed to trouble a calm Gianluigi Donnarumma.

At the other end of the pitch, the Parisian attacks were increasingly pressing. Far from satisfied, the capital club continued to push and duly added a fourth goal thanks to Bradley Barcola, who headed in Lee's cross (45', 0-4). Les Rouge et Bleu's attacking trio, a new combination this season, were simply too quick for Angers and, at the end of a one-sided first half, Luis Enrique's men went back to the dressing room with the match at their mercy.

Resuming play with a four-goal lead, and at the end of another marathon three-match week, the Parisians unsurprisingly went into the second half looking to manage the final 45 minutes. It was also an opportunity for Luis Enrique to exploit the depth of his squad and, with a view to sparing some of his players ahead of the international break, the Spanish coach took off Barcola and Hakimi and replaced them with Désiré Doué and Yoram Zague respectively at half-time. Nonetheless, Les Rouge et Bleu were quick to pick up the pace after a first half that had been masterfully controlled. Always dominant, it was in defence that the capital club stood out. Gigio Donnarumma, who was rarely called into action, notably pulled off a fine save from Emmanuel Biumla (60').

Less incisive in a second half that lacked suspense, Paris made a number of tactical adjustments. Following the introduction of Ousmane Dembélé in place of Zaïre-Emery, Lee took up a central position, freeing up the right flank for the newcomer. It was a decision that paid off for Luis Enrique, who saw his men get closer and closer to the Angers goal. One after the other, Zague (74') and Randal Kolo Muani (75'), who had come on a few minutes earlier, took full advantage of their chances and both got shots on target, but Yahia Fofana did well to keep them out.

Alexandre Dujeux's men were invigorated by these saves, and they managed to find a way through the Parisian defence on the cusp of added time with an unstoppable volley from Esteban Lepaul (90', 1-4). Les Rouge et Bleu could have added a fifth goal with a little luck for Randal Kolo Muani, whose shot crashed back off the post after a superb turn in the area. The home side were more successful in the closing stages, however, as evidenced by their second injury-time goal (90'+4, 2-4).

It was too little too late for Angers, who could do nothing about the capital club's first-half onslaught. Despite a second half that was less controlled, Luis Enrique's men won comfortably at the Stade Raymond-Kopa to move six points clear of second-placed Monaco. Les Rouge et Bleu now go into another international break before returning to action against Toulouse FC at the Parc des Princes on 22 November (21:00).