More than an hour of struggle, and then a checkmate in just over a minute. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) successfully continued their mission to defend the title after a comeback victory over Brest (3-1), maintaining a perfect record that keeps them atop the Ligue 1 table after four rounds. Beyond just the victories, PSG fans, as well as their coach Luis Enrique, should be excited about Ousmane Dembélé’s performances in the new season. It seems that the Spanish coach has found a connection with the quick-footed winger, who has been in excellent form over the first month. In six matches, both for club and country, Dembélé has already recorded four goals and four assists, and with two goals tonight, he emerged as the hero of the French champion’s victory.Dembélé vs. Brest [24/25]pic.twitter.com/xWkU1qen3y— 𝕯𝖊𝖒𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖟𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖘 (@DembouzComps__) September 14, 2024 However, the comeback by PSG might not have been possible without Fabián Ruiz and his lethal left foot. It seems that Brest forgot about the shooting power of the European champion with Spain, as they left him space at the edge of the box in the 73rd minute. The former Napoli midfielder didn’t waste that opportunity. Despite the initial struggle, PSG deservedly secured another three points. From the very beginning, the home team had the initiative, creating chances, but struggled to score due to Enrique’s decision to start without a traditional striker. And when they did threaten, which wasn’t rare, the visitors’ goalkeeper, Marco Bizot, was an insurmountable obstacle. Last season’s most pleasant surprise in French football wasn’t as bold in January this year against the same opponent at the same venue (a 2-2 draw at Parc des Princes), but they came out with a clear plan to patiently wait for the right chance to hurt their rival. If not for Nuno Mendes’ reckless foul, it’s uncertain whether that chance would have come. The left-back needlessly pulled Ludovic Ajorque down from behind near his own goal in the 30th minute, and Romain Del Castillo converted the penalty to put Enrique’s squad in the unfamiliar position of chasing the score.🌟 | PLAYER OF THE MATCHOusmane Dembélé v Brest:👌 76 touches⚽️ 2 goals🎯 7 shots/5 on target (0.73 xG)🎁 1 big chance created🔑 3 key passes👟 39/48 accurate passes (0.42 xA)💨 2/5 successful dribbles📈 9.7 Sofascore RatingIt was the Dembélé show at Parc des Princes… pic.twitter.com/22uEr2I8mA— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) September 14, 2024 You could say they passed the test with flying colors. Dembélé laid the foundation for the comeback just at the right moment, right before halftime. Marco Asensio whipped in a strong cross to the far post, where the former Barcelona player, in an unusual manner, scored with a header, finally beating the until-then brilliant Bizot. The visiting goalkeeper continued to impress in the second half, as did the rest of his defense. However, there was nothing he could do about Ruiz’s strike. Often, even much better goalkeepers can’t stop shots like that. Just ninety seconds after the second goal came PSG’s third, as Dembélé scored again, this time from a rebound, practically into an empty net. PSG, who will play their first Champions League match this Thursday at home against Sturm, finished the game in style.LIGUE 1 – MATCHDAY 4Friday Saint-Etienne – Lille 1-0 (1-0)/Cafaro 6/Saturday Olympique Marseille – Nice 2-0 (1-0)/Maupay 40, Henrique 53/Auxerre – Monaco 0-3 (0-2)/Kehrer 8, Vanderson 25, Zakaria 89/PSG – Brest 3-1 (1-1)/Dembele 42, 74, Ruiz 73 – Del Castillo 29 pen/Sunday 16.00: (1.65) Rennes (3.80) Montpellier (5.40)18.00: (2.40) Nantes (3.45) Reims (3.15)18.00: (1.70) Strasbourg (3.60) Angers (5.30)18.00: (1.90) Toulouse (3.60) Le Havre (4.50)21.45: (1.90) Lens (3.70) Olympique Lyon (4.40)***odds are subject to change***
