Paris Saint-Germain continues its flawless run, closely followed by Marseille and Monaco

The pace is already very high at the top of the French football championship. Paris Saint-Germain was full of victories and confidence on Saturday evening, September 14, during the 4^e Ligue 1 matchday by beating Brest (3-1) at the Parc des Princes, before hosting Girona on Wednesday for its entry into the Champions League.

With three new goals on the scoreboard, the Parisians already have 16 goals scored, or four per match. But that was what it took to regain the lead in the standings, temporarily abandoned in the afternoon after Marseille’s success over Nice (2-0) and Monaco’s success at Auxerre (3-0).

Facing Brestois 12^e of the championship, but who remained on a victory with style against Saint-Etienne (4-0), the Parisians, despite some waste and a pressing sometimes too risky, were once again seductive. Despite the opening of the Breton score (1-0, 29^e) on a penalty from Romain Del Castillo following a shirt pull from Nuno Mendes in the area, Luis Enrique’s men largely dominated, with effective transition play, fluid ball circulation and overwhelming possession.

Thanks to this high pressing, they quickly equalized after a recovery by Bradley Barcola, who served Marco Asensio, a decisive cross on Ousmane Dembélé’s header (1-1, 42^e).

Dembélé finally effective

PSG were also able to count on the Spanish midfielder, European champion, Fabian Ruiz, who was selected for the first time since the summer, with Vitinha (ankle) and Warren Zaire-Emery (calf) out. Brilliant with his national team during the Euro this summer − and again during this week −, Ruiz confirmed his good form by scoring his first goal of the season with a superb curling strike from the left (2-1, 73^e).

In the process, Dembélé perfectly followed up a shot from Randal Kolo Muani which was pushed back to score a double (3-1, 74^e). Featured with the French team during the international break, the French striker scored his second and third goals with PSG this season, and his third of the week after Monday’s with the Blues against Belgium. Before being decisive, he had already alerted Marco Bizot several times, excellent in his goal despite the three goals conceded (24^e34^e38^e61^e).

Overall, the attacking trio lined up as against Lille before the break still has some bearings to take, like Asensio, in false 9, who was clumsy in finishing (16^e36^e) and offside when he was precise (64^e). But after Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid, Dembélé’s efficiency in front of goal is good news for the capital club, which maintains its place as league leader, two points ahead of Marseille.

Marseille battered but victorious

Earlier in the day, efficient and solid if not very brilliant, OM dominated Nice 2-0 at home in a festive atmosphere prolonging the euphoria since the arrival this summer of Roberto De Zerbi, its Italian coach.

But the Marseillais were manhandled by their neighbours for a good half hour and it was finally on a completely harmless ball that they found the opening, via their latest recruit, Neal Maupay, former Aiglon (1-0, 40^e). Still being pushed around, De Zerbi’s team doubled the lead with a magnificent strike from Luis Henrique after a pass from Amine Harit (2-0, 53^e).

The match ended in the fog of smoke bombs lit at 84^e minute by the forty-somethings of Commando Ultra and in the 94th minute by the thirty-somethings of MTP, to also celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club saluted by a collector’s and immaculate jersey.

Monaco unfolds

During the day, Monaco rolled out in Auxerre (3-0), preparing perfectly for the reception of FC Barcelona, ​​Thursday, during the 1^e Champions League day.

Led by their midfielder and captain Denis Zakaria, who provided an assist and a goal, the Monegasques pushed Auxerre further into the ground, suffering their third consecutive defeat.

Thilo Keher (8^e), helped by a handball error from Donovan Léon, the AJA goalkeeper, Venderson, served by Zakaria (25^e) and Zakaria himself (89^e) allow Monaco to occupy provisional third place in the Ligue 1 standings, tied on points with OM (10 points), while waiting for the matches on Sunday between Nantes and Reims and Lens against Lyon at the end of the 4^e daytime.