Chevalier under spotlight again as PSG slip to disappointing home draw

Desiré Doué returned to PSG's starting XI as the Parisians fought back from 3-1 down to draw at home against Strasbourg. The Parisians will be disappointed with the result, which represents a second consecutive league draw for the club from the capital, and means that wins for Marseille and Lyon this weekend would see them overtake PSG atop the table, potentially leaving the champions as low as third in the league by the time this round of fixtures concludes.

The match actually got off to the best possible start for PSG, as the lively Barcola played a one-two with the returning Doué after only five minutes, before poking the ball into the net. It represented a fine return from the international break for Luis Enrique's men, who seemed destined to romp to the three points. Strasbourg, however, worked their way back into the game, testing Chevalier on a few occasions before equalizing after 26 minutes through a looping header from Joaquín Panichelli.

The problems soon worsened for PSG, as they then fell behind, with former Chelsea man Diego Moreira sliding in to push the ball past the disappointingly static Chevalier. It is the latest in a series of goals conceded by Paris Saint Germain this season on which their new number 30 will feel he could have done much better. Panichelli, a man in form this season with seven league goals already, added a third for Strasbourg after the break, as PSG's defense was breached all too easily again.

PSG did fight their way back into the game, as Desiré Doué won a penalty that was duly converted by Gonçalo Ramos, and late in the game, Senny Mayulu continued his habit of coming up with useful goals by scoring a bizarre rebounded header that looped slowly over Strasbourg keeper Mike Penders. PSG's chance to win the game came through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was fired over with a late shot from the edge of the box.

All in all, it represents a disapointing result for PSG, especially at home, and cranks more pressure onto their next three Ligue 1 fixtures, away to Brest and Lorient, and then at home to Nice. Any points dropped across those games will represent a real concern for Luis Enrique, who will be frustrated with how easily his side have given away points and goals in the French top flight over the last few games, especially with Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg breathing down his side's neck.

Before PSG have to chance to get back on track with their league form, they first must travel to Germany to play Bayer Leverkusen, who themselves have had a mixed start to the season, on Tuesday night. It represents a good opportunity to bounce back, and Enrique will hope that his side, specifically his defense, will prove more resilient in that game than they were last night.