Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) regained the top spot in Ligue 1 with a 4-2 win over Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, edging above Monaco on goal difference.
Youngster Senny Mayulu opened the scoring with his first Ligue 1 goal, while Marco Asensio, Bradley Barcola, and Lee Kang-in also found the net for PSG in a rain-soaked match. Sekou Mara and Pape Diong scored for Strasbourg, but the Alsace club’s winless record away to PSG continues, now stretching to 34 matches.
After Monaco’s goalless draw with Lille on Friday, PSG seized the opportunity to move to the summit despite manager Luis Enrique making several changes to his lineup. With Tuesday’s Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven looming, Enrique rested key players, including Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, and captain Marquinhos.
Mayulu, one of five PSG starters aged 20 or under, impressed by hitting the post early before scoring in the 18th minute following a one-two with Barcola. The 18-year-old missed another clear chance before half-time, shooting over the bar when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
PSG doubled their lead early in the second half when Marco Asensio bundled in after Desire Doue’s initial effort was saved. However, Mara pulled one back for Strasbourg, netting his first goal since joining from Southampton.
PSG had a penalty decision overturned following a VAR review, but Barcola soon made it 3-1, scoring his seventh of the season and solidifying his position as Ligue 1’s top scorer. Though a potential own goal from Saidou Sow was disallowed for offside, Lee Kang-in added PSG’s fourth, capitalising on a Joao Neves assist. Diong scored a consolation goal for Strasbourg, making it 4-2 in the dying minutes.
Despite the defeat, Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, whose team is owned by the same BlueCo consortium as Chelsea, expressed pride in his players.
