PSG suffer false start as defensively vulnerable Paris lose to Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain began Friday night with celebration and ended it with another setback. After marking their European Super Cup triumph, welcoming their summer signings and quickly announcing several contract extensions, PSG lost 2-1 to Monaco at the Parc des Princes.

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We clearly deserved to win.

The defeat followed 2-2 draws against Rennes and Lille. Those results had at least earned points, but there was no such consolation against Monaco. The loss has given Luis Enrique and his players fresh questions to consider, even if the start may not prove alarming over the long term.

Enrique argued that PSG had done enough to win. “We clearly deserved to win,” he said at his news conference, adding that “football is unfair.” Monaco had only two shots on target, while PSG goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky made nine saves, details that supported the coach’s view of the match.

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Football is unfair.

Enrique described it as the kind of game in which one team plays better and creates far more chances, only for the opposing goalkeeper to become the player of the match. For PSG, the festive opening at the Parc des Princes therefore gave way to a second consecutive league disappointment and a defensive performance that the article presents as a warning sign.

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It is the typical match where you are better, you create many chances, many more than the opponent, but the opposing goalkeeper is the best player of the match.