Paris Saint-Germain were forced to rely on Matvey Safonov and the impact of Luis Enrique’s substitutes to overcome determined underdogs Le Mans in Ligue 1.
The Paris side appeared keen to conserve energy against less-fancied opposition, but Le Mans showed no interest in simply defending their status as outsiders. They came close to producing another surprise in Ligue 1, while Paris Saint-Germain’s attempt to manage the game in “economy mode” failed to deliver a comfortable evening.
The starting line-up could even have allowed the underdogs to win. Safonov’s saves kept Paris Saint-Germain in the contest for long periods before the changes made by Luis Enrique eventually shifted the match in their favour.
Euro-football.ru rated the Paris Saint-Germain players on a subjective scale of 10. The three highest-rated performers all received 8.0.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 8.0
Kvaratskhelia made his opportunity count, coming on to score the winning goal. The Georgia international had looked below his best recently, both for his national team and Paris Saint-Germain, but he reacted sharply to the rebound and finished decisively.
He also brought fresh energy to the left side, carrying the ball past opponents on three occasions. His arrival provided Paris Saint-Germain with an attacking threat that had been missing for much of the match.
Maghnes Akliouche – 8.0
Akliouche also found the net, scoring his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain. The former team-mate of Aleksandr Golovin advanced skilfully towards the penalty area before placing a precise finish inside the near post to settle the outcome.
He was one of the few Paris Saint-Germain players to show full commitment from the opening minutes. Akliouche, unlike many of his team-mates, appeared unwilling to approach the match in a low-intensity manner.
Matvey Safonov – 8.0
Safonov was also in excellent form, with Le Mans giving him so much work that Monaco might have been envious. Paris Saint-Germain’s defence was repeatedly caught napping, leaving the goalkeeper exposed.
He made two saves from particularly difficult efforts and kept the visitors afloat for a considerable period. Safonov could not be blamed for the goal Paris Saint-Germain conceded, with Mafuta’s shot coming from just three metres.
His performance was central to preventing Le Mans from turning their strong approach into another major Ligue 1 upset before Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking changes made the difference.