Share

PSG win in first outing since Champions League nightmare

France - Paris Saint-Germain shook off their Champions League hangover and resumed their canter towards another French title on Tuesday as they cruised to a 4-0 win in Dijon.

Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored PSG's goals in their first outing since their disastrous exit from the Champions League in the last 16 at the hands of Manchester United last week.

The result left Thomas Tuchel's team 17 points clear of Lille in second place, and they still have a game in hand. With a French Cup semi-final to come next month, a domestic double remains a possibility, but any celebrations here were low key for a club whose priority has long been Europe.

"It was a first step to show that we could react like champions. It was a good reaction," said Tuchel.

"We still have objectives and we want to win the league and the Cup."

The PSG squad had been given three days off in the wake of their 3-1 home reverse against United, which eliminated them from the Champions League on away goals, the third season running in which they have gone out in the last 16.

Their return to training on Sunday had been marked by tensions between players and unhappy supporters hurling abuse, and it remains to be seen what kind of welcome they receive when they play host to Marseille this weekend.

"I want our supporters to show that we are all together. That is the only thing to do," said Tuchel.

"One VAR decision must not change that. The supporters are disappointed, like us, but now is the time to show we are together."

Referring to the Champions League exit, and the nature of it, the German added: "We must accept that result was an accident. Stay calm and maintain our confidence in this team."

A Dijon side battling to avoid relegation were the ideal opponents for PSG here, with the visitors going ahead inside seven minutes when Marquinhos headed home from a Di Maria corner.

The PSG line-up featured just four changes from last Wednesday's Champions League game, with Gianluigi Buffon and Thilo Kehrer dropping out along with the banned Dani Alves and injured Julian Draxler.

Mbappe got the second shortly before half-time, bundling in a Layvin Kurzawa centre from close range for his 25th league goal of the campaign.

The World Cup-winning striker later hit the woodwork, but that was after Di Maria had curled in a free-kick five minutes into the second half.

Choupo-Moting came off the bench to wrap up the win in stoppage time from a Thomas Meunier cross, as he got his first goal since his debut for the club in September.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE