Mbappé carries PSG, Real wins but loses Benzema
For the first day of the Champions League, the Parisians beat Juventus (2-1) and Madrid won in Glasgow against Celtic (3-0).
Kylian Mbappé, here after his second goal, carried PSG at the start of the match against Juventus.
AFP
The victory, a controlled first period, then a slightly less serene end to the match: Paris managed its continental start at home against Juve (2-1), even if everything was not as perfect as the double spectacular Kylian Mbappé.
More inspired on the pitch than the day before at a press conference, where his laughter on environmental issues sparked controversy to the top of the French government, the PSG star striker did not seem disturbed by the controversy.
A splendid ladle from Neymar in the area allowed him to open the volley score (5th). Then the French striker combined on the right with Achraf Hakimi, doubling the bet after a nice one-two (22nd).
The Parc des Princes chanted his name, sweet music to the ears of the world champion after 24 hours of non-sporting controversy.
Lack of altruism
But Mbappé also sinned for lack of altruism, forgetting Neymar unmarked (51st), and this undoubtedly contributed to the reduction of the Turin score: Weston McKennie emerged from the head after a bad exit from Gianluigi Donnarumma (53rd). The Italian goalkeeper, author of a parade at close range in front of Milik (19th), was however decisive in an end to the meeting under tension for PSG.
At least the essential is accomplished for the Parisians (3 pts), who beat Juventus Turin for the first time in their history and fuel their dreams of continental glory. They join the Benfica team (3 pts) at the top of Group H, victorious 2-0 from Maccabi Haifa, opponent of PSG next week.
“Nothing to worry about” for Benzema
Controlled debut for Real Madrid, defending champion and 2-0 winner at Celtic, in Glasgow, with one downside all the same: the injury exit of its captain and center forward Karim Benzema.
At Celtic Park, the people of Madrid had a contrasting evening, jostled on the ground by the Scots, like the post found by Callum McGregor (21st). The exit of their French striker half an hour into the game, apparently hit in the right knee, did not help.
But Carlo Ancelotti was reassuring after the match (“nothing to worry about”), and his team had resources.
Vinicius, after a splendid collective action (56th), then Luka Modric (60th) and finally Eden Hazard (77th), liberated the “White House”, at the head of group F with Shakhtar Donetsk, victorious 4-1 in Leipzig.
AFP/JSA
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