After losing to Rennes before the international break, Paris Saint-Germain somehow managed to shake the surprising defeat off. They survived Angers visiting Parc de Princes with a slim win – final score 2-1.Without a number of their best players, Saints were still massive favourites. Messi, Neymar, Di Maria and Paredes were out of the line-up due to obligations to their national teams (Keylor Navas was out due to injury) but either way – Mauricio Pochettino had a great team to introduce.It started as expected – with pressure from the Parisians. Kylian Mbappe threatened Paul Bernardoni as early as 5th minute but it was not as dangerous of an attempt as the French superstar wanted it to be. Seconds after Mbappe put much more into it but his effort went centimeters wide of the right post.Slightly forgotten Rafinha had his shot at goal in the 8th minute but the ball went high over the crossbar.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Angers somehow survived the opening minutes and the dominance of the home team – they had their first opportunity in the 26th minute via Sofiane Boufal. The Moroccan dribbler amazingly found his way through the defence, but lacked a precise finish as his effort from close range went slightly wide of the right post.It was as if Boufal’s attempt gave confidence to the visitors from the west of France. Only minute after Angelo Fulgini wasted a huge chance. He received a precise cross inside the penalty area and took a quick shot that sailed towards the left post. His effort, however, lacked power and Gianluigi Donnarumma dived to make a stunning save.In the 32nd minute PSG stroke again – Colin Dagba picked up a pass and tried his luck from mid-range towards the bottom right corner, but Bernardoni was equal to deflect it towards the corner.Angers were at it again soon after. Jimmy Cabot sent in a cross, but Fulgini found it almost impossible to control and sent his header high over the bar from close in.However, he was much more precise three minutes later. Boufal put a cross into the box and found Fulgini, who caught it and sent the ball inside the left post.PSG have conceded the first goal in 5 different home games in Ligue 1 in 2021 – their highest tally in a calendar year since 2012 when they saw the ball in their own net also 5 times.Second half started the same way first one ended. Possession almost exclusively belonged to the hosts but they looked as if they did not know what to do with it.In the 55th minute Rafinha hit a thunderous volley on the edge of the box that just flew just wide of the right post which was followed by Mbappe’s attempt three minutes later which went over the bar.The fact that the powerhouse such as PSG failed to record a shot on goal in the first 65 minutes of the match gave Pochettino something to worry about – as if he already lacked something to resent to his players.Mbappe tried again in the 68th minute – Bernardoni blocked his long-range effort towards the right side of the goal.Out of nowhere, to the rescue came Danilo Pereira. Where strikers failed – central midfielder succeeded. Mbappe handed Danilo the simplest of tasks from close range after the cross in the 69th minute evaded Angers’ defenders. The Portuguese made no mistake with his header and sent it into the middle of the goal.Parisians could have turned it fully around only a few minutes after but Ander Herrera bent his effort inches wide of the left post.Gerald Baticle’s outlet deserved a draw and were brave enough to earn a point from this match. However, referee Bastien Dechepy had different plans. Yes, the ball did hit the forearm of Pierrick Capelle inside his own box but it wasn’t a situation that called for a penalty. Regardless, the ball on the spot and Kylian Mbappe converted it into PSG’s lead in the 87th minute.Crushed guests almost conceded a third in the 90th minute. Georginio Wijnaldum unleashed a shot goalwards – the ball was directed towards the left side of the goal but Bernardoni pulled off a comfortable save to thwart the effort.Sigh of relief from the fans in the stands. The supporters were also glad to see Juan Bernat return to the pitch after a 13-month injury brake. Far from good performance provided from the top favourites to win all possible trophies presented to them this year.Fortune did not favour the brave this evening, but the wealthy.LIGUE 1 – ROUND 10FridayPSG – Angers 2-1 (0-1)/Danilo 69, Mbappe 87 pen – Fulcini 36/Saturday18:00: (3.35) Clermont (3.30) Lille (2.35)22:00: (2.30) Olympique Lyon (3.50) Monaco (3.25)Sunday14:00: (4.20) Troyes (3.60) Nice (1.95)16:00: (2.10) Strasbourg (3.50) Saint-Etienne (3.80)16:00: (2.85) Bordeaux (3.15) Nantes (2.75)16:00: (2.50) Brest (3.10) Reims (3.25)16:00: (5.00) Metz (3.50) Rennes (1.85)18:00: (3.00) Montpellier (3.40) Lens (2.50)21:45: (1.55) Olympique Marseille (4.30) Lorient (6.75)
