Last update:January 26, 2025, 09:21 IST
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his debut for PSG, providing an assist for Dembele’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Reims. PSG dominates Ligue 1, 10 points ahead of Marseille. Monaco are third, having beaten Rennes 3-2.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG on the pitch during a Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims. (Image: AP)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday when he provided an assist for Ousmane Dembélé, but the Ligue 1 leaders were held to 1-1 by Reims.
The in-form Dembélé opened the scoring for PSG at the Parc des Princes with his eighth goal in seven matches, before Japanese international Keito Nakamura equalized shortly after.
PSG were unable to follow up after their impressive midweek victory against Manchester City in the Champions League, but remain undefeated in the league this season and are provisionally 10 points ahead of Marseille, at the top of Ligue 1.
Reims have won just once in 12 league matches, and it was already their second draw of the season against PSG, as Luis Enrique’s side perhaps looked distracted.
The Parisians travel to Germany to face VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday, where a draw will be enough for them to be sure of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Luis Enrique therefore rotated his squad with this objective in mind.
Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Joao Neves, Vitinha and Bradley Barcola were spared, the last being replaced by Kvaratskhelia.
“He is a player who is different when the ball is at his feet,” Luis Enrique said of the Georgian.
“I hope this is just the first of many games for him at the club and I think his performance has been positive, although he is lacking rhythm after a month without playing. »
With Kvaratskhelia not yet eligible for the Champions League, he made his first appearance for PSG since arriving last week from Naples for a reported fee of 70 million euros ($72 million).
He saw Gonçalo Ramos come close to scoring in the first half, his attempt being deflected onto the post by goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf.
Kvaratskhelia then played a key role in opening the scoring two minutes after the break, cutting down the middle from the left and completing a one-two before feeding Dembélé who scored with a deflected shot.
However, Nakamura equalized after a fine collective action, scoring his eighth goal of the season, and no further chances materialized.
Monaco climbs to third place
Marseille travel to Nice on Sunday while Monaco move back up to third place after their 3-2 home win over struggling Rennes, preceded by a 2-1 defeat for Lille in Strasbourg.
-In the principality, Monaco followed their 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Champions League this week with victory over Rennes thanks to goals from Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Biereth and Aleksandr Golovin.
Akliouche made the Stade Louis II shine by opening the scoring with a superb bicycle kick after a quarter of an hour of play.
Golovin hit the bar moments later when he should have scored, and instead it was Mahamadou Nagida who equalized for Rennes in first-half injury time.
Danish striker Biereth restored Monaco’s lead at the start of the second half, scoring his first goal since arriving from Sturm Graz.
Akliouche then assisted Russia’s Golovin for Monaco’s third goal in the 56th minute, although they had to hold on after Amine Gouiri reduced the gap for Rennes.
The Breton club have lost five out of five matches in all competitions in 2025, and have been beaten seven times in ten matches since the appointment of former Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli in November.
“I feel like I can do something for this club and I will do everything in my power to get us out of this situation,” Sampaoli said when asked if he ever fears for his job.
This first victory in five Ligue 1 matches allows Monaco to move up to third place, three points behind Marseille and two ahead of Lille.
Like Monaco, Lille are also expected to compete in the knockout stages of the Champions League, although they saw their 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions end with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool this week.
Osame Sahraoui opened the scoring for Lille in Strasbourg, but Chelsea loanee Andrey Santos equalized twenty minutes later and Emanuel Emegha scored the deciding goal shortly after for the hosts, who remain unbeaten for eight matches.
(This article was written by a news agency and has not been edited by News18 staff – AFP)
News sport » football Kvaratskhelia shines on PSG debut, providing assist in 1-1 draw against Reims
In short, this article highlights the importance of new recruits in the complex landscape of French football, highlighting the dynamics of the teams at the top of the ranking. The growing presence of new talents, like Kvaratskhelia, could well redefine the balance of power in Ligue 1 in the coming weeks. What impacts can these changes have on the trajectory of clubs and on the individuality of players? This deserves further consideration.
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