Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Le Mans: Paris take down Le Mans ahead of the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain make their return to action with a Ligue 1 game at home against newly promoted side Le Mans on Matchday 6. The Parisians will hope to secure a third consecutive league win after a very disappointing start that see them currently sixth in the table.

After the long international break and just before an important Champions League clash against Manchester City, Luis Enrique decided to heavily rotate his team with Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes being rested for this game, while Senny Mayulu is nursing an injury.

With the 2025 Ballon d'Or rested, Spain international Ferran Torres will lead the line accompanied by Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts on the wings. Meanwhile, Dro Fernandez will partner Lucas Beraldo and Joao Neves in midfield with both Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz starting on the bench. In defence, Zabarnyi and Lucas Hernandez will compose the centre-back pairing while Lucas Digne replacing Nuno Mendes at left-back. Achraf Hakimi will start at right-back and will captain the team in this game.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Safonov; Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Digne, Hakimi; Dro Fernandez, Beraldo, Joao Neves; Torres, Akliouche, Godts.

Le Mans' starting XI: Kocik; Voyer, Yohou, Boissié; Lauray, Calodat, Vercruysse, Bretelle, Bamba; Mafouta, Diallo.

While the hosts were in complete control of the ball in the opening five minutes of the game, it was Le Mans who managed to create the first opportunity of the evening but Vercruysse's shot from outside the box went over Safonov's crossbar. After the first 10 minutes, the Parisians increased the tempo and appeared much more dangerous around Le Mans' box, their pressure was rewarded when Achraf Hakimi won a penalty. Lucas Beraldo stepped up to the plate and opened the scoring from the spot after 20 minutes, despite Kocik being close from saving the shot.

The Parisians stayed in control for most of the first half, but saw the visitors come close to tie the game, but Lucas Hernandez delivered a great comeback tackle to deflect Mafouta's close range effort. Just before the break, Maghnes Akliouche came close from adding a second goal for Paris but Kocik made a splendid save to keep his side in the game.

After a remarkable collective move, Mafouta scored from close range and equalised for the visitors (54'). Louis Mafouta scored his fourth goal in six Ligue 1 games for Le Mans this season. Luis Enrique then made four changes to push his team forward. The substitutions immediately paid off as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia perfectly followed up on Fabian Ruiz's saved effort to take the lead once again (61').

Less than 10 minutes later, Akliouche made it 3-1 as he scored his first goal in Ligue 1 for his team and seemingly ended all hopes for the visitors in this game (68').

Désiré Doué saw his penalty saved by Kocik in added time, though, the Parisians comfortably saw out the game to secure their first home win of the season in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

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