That concludes our commentary of the Ligue 1 fixture between Troyes and PSG. We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Troyes will look for their first win back in Ligue 1 next weekend, when they travel to face Clermont. PSG will return to Paris next Saturday, when they host Strasbourg.
PSG take all-three points in the first league match of the season, coming from behind to beat newly promoted Troyes 2-1 at the Stade de L’Aube. A ninth-minute headed goal from El-Hajjam was cancelled out 10 minutes later by a fantastic Hakimi goal, though the score remained level for just two minutes as Icardi’s confident strike gave the visitors the lead. An entertaining first half was met by a pedestrian and somewhat sloppy second by Pochettino’s side, as Troyes stuck to their style of play and fashioned more than enough opportunities to draw level. The hosts were left a little bit short in the finishing department, but otherwise played very well – enough to give Batlles confidence for the games ahead.
90′ + 3′ FULL-TIME: TROYES 1-2 PSG.
90′ + 2′ Sarabia is promptly shown a yellow card for taking Kouame down with a clumsy and mistimed challenge.
90′ + 1′ The fourth official indicates three minutes will be added for stoppages.
90′ Mbappe will not see out the entirety of the match as Sarabia is given a chance to play as we enter stoppage time.
89′ Kone is shown a yellow card with two minutes to go for dissent, after he gave the referee an earful in the aftermath of a Troyes corner – as the wing-back feels there was a handball.
T. Banhie-Zoukrou
O. El Hajjam
87′ El Hajjam is withdrawn with three minutes left as Zoukrou is sent on to find the equaliser.
86′ The set-piece from the left corner flag is cleared immediately by Kimpembe, who has been an important presence in the PSG defence today.
84′ Tardieu’s free-kick is sent into the penalty area with great whip, but PSG manage to turn the ball behind, giving Troyes yet another late set-piece.
83′ Ebimbe crashes through the back of Tardieu and gives Troyes a free-kick on the right-hand side.
82′ Kabore gets into the penalty area ahead of Diallo and attempts to centre the ball with his left foot, but Kimpembe comes across and puts it behind for another Troyes corner.
81′ Tardieu takes a corner to the far post but Pereira is the first man to make contact, heading it backwards and out on the far side for a Troyes throw-in.
M. Kukharevych
Y. Touzghar
80′ Kukharevych is sent on for the final 10 minutes, with Touzghar making way.
78′ PSG have won seven of their last eight away games in Ligue 1 (D1), after winning only one of their previous four (D2 L1).
76′ Draxler is withdrawn as Pochettino makes his first switch of the match. Ebimbe is the man chosen to replace him.
75′ Hakimi plays a pass inside the penalty area for Draxler, who’s nifty footwork gets him away from two converging defenders. He manages to centre a pass for Icardi, but the striker’s first touch gets away from him, allowing the defender to wedge himself between Icardi and the ball.
73′ PSG don’t look determined to get a third goal as they hold the ball in midfield and force Troyes to come onto them. The low block of five defenders has certainly stifled Pochettino’s side, as there has been little room for Mbappe to work with.
71′ Tardieu takes the free-kick towards the penalty spot, but Kehrer gets to it first – putting it out for a throw.
70′ Icardi is shown a yellow card for a cynical tug back on Kabore inside PSG’s half.
69′ It’s all a bit pedestrian from PSG at the moment, as they’re unable to unlock Troyes’ defence despite camping all 10 outfield players inside the opposition’s half. There is little movement off the ball as the midfield is oftentimes forced to play it back into defence.
67′ Balde attempts an audacious scorpion-kick to get on the end of Tardieu’s cross from central midfield, but the forward doesn’t end up getting enough of a firm touch on the ball, sending the effort just wide of the far post!
65′ Potentially a change of shape in the offing as Chambost, who plays in midfield, has been withdrawn for a forward. With under 30 minutes remaining in the match, Batlles has little option other than to make an offensive change.
63′ Balde replaces Chambost as Troyes make the first substitution of the match.
60′ Troyes’ new signing, Ripart, scored 11 goals last season in Ligue 1 with Nîmes, his highest tally in a league campaign. Though, PSG are the side he faced the most in the top-flight without being involved in a single goal (five games).
58′ PSG are enjoying a long spell of possession, knocking it from right to left and back again in search of an opening. The low block from the hosts has been very effective in limiting the space, not allowing Mbappe and Draxler to pick the lock.
56′ Pereira intercepts a loose pass in midfield and pokes it forward to Mbappe, who is unable to slip a pass through the centre-backs in search of Icardi’s run.
54′ Kabore takes a touch and fires a cross into the penalty area from the right, but it’s a very poor delivery which evades the head of Ripart and goes out on the far side for a PSG throw.
52′ Kabore looks to stretch his legs with a long run down the left flank, where he beats Kimpembe but is unable to wriggle away from Wijnaldum, who wins the ball cleanly while sending the wing-back to the ground looking for a free-kick which isn’t given.
50′ Ripart gets free on the left and whips a low cross into the penalty area for Touzghar. It fails to reach the striker but Chambost’s run takes him inside the 18-yard box where he latches onto the loose ball and fires a shot which is blocked behind by Kimpembe.
48′ No changes from either side at the half as both Pochettino and Batlles have had reasons for optimism with their starting XIs. The changes will eventually come but it’s been an even and enthralling contest thus far at the Stade de L’Aube from those on display.
46′ PSG get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Troyes have little other option but to open themselves up and attack if they wish to take a point from the match. They’ve been quite organised defensively, but the spaces will no-doubt appear for PSG as the match wears on. Pochettino’s side will surely not be happy with just a one-goal advantage, and will instruct his side to go out and earn some insurance. With the likes of Sarabia and Rafinha on the bench, there are more than enough players at the coach’s disposal to open up their opponents once again.
An entertaining first-half of action comes to a close with the visitors in the lead, despite some early troubles. It was Troyes who got on the scoresheet first, when El-Hajjam’s well-taken header from a corner beat Navas just nine minutes into the game. PSG struggled to create in the aftermath, but two minutes of absolute quality saw Paris score two well-taken goals through recently signed Hakimi and Icardi. Battles’ side kept their head up despite the setback and continued to force Navas into quality saves, including a Ripart volley which was repelled well by the Costa Rica international.
45′ + 2′ HALF-TIME: TROYES 1-2 PSG.
45′ + 1′ The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added onto the end of the first half for stoppages.
45′ Hakimi is the second PSG player booked in the first half, as his sliding challenge to win the ball in midfield caught the top of Ripart’s foot.
45′ The corner comes in eventually, but the low delivery is whacked away at the near post by a stationed defender.
43′ Play is brought to a halt momentarily as Troyes line up to take a corner-kick, as something has been thrown at the player from the stands. The referee is having a word with his staff on the touchline, which has prompted a warning to ring out from the P.A.
41′ Troyes coach Batlles is making his Ligue 1 debut as a manager in this game, having managed 66 Ligue 2 games for ESTAC, winning 39 (59%) and picking up 1.94 points per game in the division.
39′ With just over five minutes left to play in the first half, PSG will look to hold what they have and enter the interval in the lead. It won’t be an easy feat though, as Troyes have done very well despite tough opposition – giving Navas no end of troubles.
37′ Troyes look to have changed their shape, dropping Ripart back onto the left wing – allowing Touzghar to play as the lone forward. PSG have matched the switch with one of their own, pairing Icardi up top with Mbappe in a 4-4-2.
35′ GREAT STRIKE! A cross from the right falls kindly for Ripart, who smashes a half-volley which forces a great reaction save from Navas, who gets a strong palm to the ball – pushing it wide.
33′ The first booking of the match goes the way of Kimpembe, who deliberately blocked the run of Touzghar inside the centre-circle. Troyes were looking to break on the counter, which that tactical foul brought to a halt.
31′ Chambost finds himself in some space on the right and shapes to shoot, failing to trouble the goalkeeper as he sends his effort high over Navas’ crossbar.
29′ Ripart wins some room for himself ahead of the covering defender on the edge of the penalty area and takes a low, driven shot towards the near post – forcing a fantastic save out of Navas.
27′ Troyes have lost their last seven games against PSG in Ligue 1, their worst run against an opponent in the top-flight (alongside seven against Guingamp between 2002 and 2018). The hosts could lost eight games in a row against the same team for the first time ever in the French top-flight.
25′ CLEARED OFF THE LINE! Mbappe gets onto the ball on the left wing, where the goalkeeper comes out to meet him. The France international’s body feint wins him some space ahead of Gallon, before an arced shot to the far post is whacked away from right underneath the crossbar by a backtracking Giraudon.
23′ Troyes haven’t done much wrong in the first 25 minutes, yet they find themselves 2-1 down thanks to two brilliant goals in two minutes by the visitors. The quality they have in their ranks only needs a second to show itself, much to Gallon’s dismay. The hosts aren’t out of the match by any means, but they’ll have to dig deep if they want a point.
21′ Mbappe gets himself on the scoresheet with an intelligent assist for Icardi’s go-ahead goal.
21′ COMEBACK COMPLETE! 2-1 PSG! Mbappe makes a diagonal run into the penalty area, cheating down the cross that meets him, dragging the keeper off his line in the process. The winger then has the presence of mind to cut the ball back for Icardi, who uses the outside of his boot to beat the goalkeeper!
19′ Herrera’s first-time sweeping pass over the top of the defence is the assist.
19′ HAKIMI LEVELS THE SCORE WITH A FANTASTIC GOAL! Herrera plays a high, looping ball over the top, which allows the right-back to run onto it. He holds Kone off with strength and whacks a volley high into the far corner of the goal – giving the keeper no chance! 1-1!
19′ Hakimi finds Icardi with his back to goal before the striker turns and plays it through for the right-back. The former Inter wideman gets onto the pass and wins a corner from Gallon, before the linesman raises his flag for offside – giving Troyes a chance to clear their lines.
17′ Troyes have scored a goal against PSG for the first time in over three matches, since a 4-1 defeat to PSG in the league in 2015.
15′ OVER! Herrera latches onto a loose ball just outside the Troyes penalty area and hits an off-balance shot with his left – sending it narrowly high and wide but forces a dive out of the keeper anyway.
14′ Well this certainly wasn’t the plan for Pochettino and PSG, who find themselves a goal down after just 10 minutes. Troyes will have to be well organised and determined if they’re to keep the lead, as there’s a wealth of attacking talent on the pitch for the visitors.
12′ Mbappe takes the set-piece low but it’s repelled by the first man, who puts it out for a throw.
11′ Kouame blocks off Mbappe during an attempted one-two pass, giving PSG a free-kick just outside the Troyes penalty area on the left.
9′ Chambost’s well-taken corner is the assist for Troyes’ opener!
9′ TROYES TAKES THE LEAD! UNBELIEVABLE! It’s a simple corner-kick taken to the edge of the six-yard box, where El-Hajjam meets it with a thumping header! PSG’s zonal marking did the side no favours, as the centre-back was able to get a free run at the ball! 1-0 to the hosts!
7′ Great chance for Troyes as Kone gets forward well and flashes an inviting low cross into the six-yard box. Navas doesn’t react immediately but the delivery is put just too far ahead of Touzghar, allowing the goalkeeper to make a save.
5′ Mbappe looks to take on Kabore with a few stepovers before swinging a cross to the far post looking for the run of Hakimi. Kone is aware of the danger and uses his strength well to shield the ball, winning a goal-kick for Gallon.
3′ Troyes look to hit down the left flank via a launched pass from defence, which is met by a nice touch from Touzghar. The striker gets it into the penalty area, but Kehrer comes across to win possession for PSG.
1′ Troyes get the match underway from the kick-off!
Navas gets the start between the posts, behind a back four that features Diallo, Kimpembe, Kehrer and Hakimi – who was recently signed from Inter. Pereira gets the start in the centre of midfield, with Herrera and Wijnaldum – formerly of Liverpool – playing on either side. In attack, Icardi leads the line with Mbappe on the right wing and Draxler on the left.
Battles’ first XI of the season features Gallon in goal, with a back three of El Hijjam, captain Giraudon and Azamoum. Kone plays at left wing-back while Kabore gets the start on the right, with Chambost, Tardieu and Kouame playing through the middle. It’s a strike partnership up front, with Touzghar partnering Ripart.
PSG SUBS: Sergio Rico, Eric Ebimbe, Pablo Sarabia, Nathan Bitumazala, Edouard Michut, Layvin Kurzawa, Arnaud Kalimuendo Muinga, Rafinha, El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
PSG XI (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Abdou Diallo, Presnel Kimpembe, Thilo Kehrer, Achraf Hakimi; Ander Herrera, Danilo Pereira, Georginio Wijnaldum; Julian Draxler, Mauro Icardi, Kylian Mbappe.
TROYES SUBS: Tanguy Zoukrou, Levi Lumeka, Rudy Kohon, Derek Mazou-Sacko, Brandon Domingues, Filip Yavorov Krastev, Mykola Kukharevych, Jessy Moulin, Mama Balde.
TROYES XI (3-5-2): Gauthier Gallon; Karim Azamoum, Jimmy Giraudon, Oualid El-Hajjam; Issa Kabore, Rominigue Kouame, Florian Tardieu, Dylan Chambost, Youssouf Kone; Renaud Ripart, Yoann Touzghar.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up – starting with our hosts!
Looking to make amends for their second-place finish in the league last year, PSG didn’t get their 2021/22 campaign off to a great start – losing 1-0 to Lille in the Trophee des Champions last weekend. Despite the minor setback, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are still heavy favourites for the domestic title, having completed some major business in the transfer market. Only a win will suffice for PSG, who have gone undefeated against today’s opponents in their last 13 meetings in the league.
Last year’s Ligue 2 winners will have a tough test in week one, welcoming the nine-time French champions to the Stade de l’Aube. Back in the top flight for the first time since the 2017/18 season, there’s no doubt coach Laurent Batlles will be satisfied just avoiding the drop.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Ligue 1 opening day fixture between Troyes and Paris Saint-Germain!
Pablo Sarabia
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