Two points before the break

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Two days after hosting Zagreb (40-31) in the EHF Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain Handball were in Liqui Moly StarLigue Round action on Saturday evening. The objective was clear: to move closer to top spot. To do so, the capital club had to win at Istres' Halle Polyvalente where, despite their position at the foot of the table, the Provençal side are not easily moved around, as Yoann Gibelin reminded us before throw-off.

Faced with a team determined to make life for their visitors difficult, Les Rouge et Bleu made a good start (6': 2-5). The home team had to deal with a strong Parisian defence, led by 'keeper Andreas Palicka, who was practically impassable. The counter-attacks were also well managed and Paris made an early break (8': 2-7). Offensively, Ferran Solé Sala continued his momentum from the Zagreb match and made a superb start, his clinical finishing permitting his team to increase the lead (13': 6-12).

After a difficult start, Istres started to play their way back into the game (16': 9-12). While Andreas made a point of repelling their initial efforts, the home side started rot get their eye in went close to levelling it up (22': 12-13). But, after a time-out called by Raul Gonzalez, the Parisians got back on track and regained some breathing space (27': 13-16). At the break, following a final goal from Nikola Karabatic, they still had a three-point lead.

Our players came back from the break with serious intent and quickly went five to the good (35': 17-22). However, thanks to the heroics of Istres 'keeper Clément Gaudin - against his former teammates and the club whose academy he graduated from, with whom he was crowned Champion of the National 2 (D4) in 2017, alongside Adama Keita - Paris struggled to kill the match off. However, Les Rouge et Bleu were still leading the game as the final ten minutes approached (44': 22-26).

The clock was ticking in favour of the Parisians, who now seemed to be in control (47': 22-28), despite a few bursts of rebellious energy from the home side (50': 24-28). Paris Saint-Germain Handball manages the last moments of the game perfectly (54': 25-34) and claimed victory against an excellent Istres side! After these two league points have been stuffed in the bag, it's time for an international break. The next appointment will take place when Limoges visit the capital for their Liqui Moly StarLigue Round 6 clash on 21 October.

RAUL GONZALEZ, HENRIK TOFT HANSEN AND ADAMA KEITA'S REACTIONS:

(E. Renard/Team Pics/PSG)