Ligue 1

Ligue 1: Long Road Back Begins For PSG Against Metz

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 10: Paris Saint-Germain players react during the tribute for the death of Thomas Rodriguez of Tours FC before the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint Germain and Metz at Parc des Princes on March 10, 2018 in Paris, . (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Ligue 1: Long Road Back Begins For PSG Against Metz

Unai Emery’s Paris Saint-Germain began the long road back to recovery by pounding Frederic Hantz’s FC Metz 5-0 at Le Parc des Princes in Paris. Christopher Nkunku led the way with a brace in the 20th and 28th minute in a rare five-star performance. Other goalscorers included Thomas Meunier (5′), Kylian Mbappe (45′ + 1′) and Thiago Silva (82′).

“It was important to get back to winning ways, especially here at home, in front of our fans,” said Emery. “We need to keep moving forward and work hard to reach our goals. We want to win the league and the two domestic Cups. We produced a very complete performance tonight and we have to keep going like this.”

Statistically, Paris won the possession battle (58 percent to 42 percent) despite being dominated in shots (14 to 13) and shots on goal (12 to seven) by the visitors. PSG were offsides six times to Metz’s one and also won the corner battle, nine to two. Metz goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was best on ground for the Grenats with six saves.

Embed from Getty Images

 

“It was a great night, with, above all, a big win,” said Nkunku. “We also kept another clean sheet. It was a very good match for us. The aim was to pick up the three points, and that’s job done. For me, it was a special day. It was incredible to score twice, here at the Parc, in front of my family.”

“It’s incredible to have played here at the Parc des Princes, in front of thousands of Paris fans and alongside such great players,” added USMNT hopeful Timothy Weah, the son of George Weah, who made his second appearance for the Parisians. “It”s a dream come true for me to play for the same club as my father.”

Embed from Getty Images

 

Paris Saint-Germain have two matches this week. PSG are at home this Wednesday against Angers SCO (kickoff: 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET) before taking on OGC Nice on the road in a bid for payback for last year’s setback at the Allianz Riviera on Mar. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET.

Keep it here on The Stoppage Time, powered by Azteca Soccer, for all of your soccer news. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Related Items
Ligue 1
@joryansalazar

Jo-Ryan Salazar is a writer for The Stoppage Time, a soccer blog powered by Azteca Soccer. A supporter of the Los Angeles Galaxy since 1996 and a committed supporter since 2002, Jo-Ryan also follows Chelsea FC, Melbourne Victory, FC Tokyo and Paris Saint-Germain. Apart from soccer, Jo-Ryan is an administrative assistant for a local nonprofit in Long Beach, California and also does photography, photo-editing and fictional writing.

Related Items

More in Ligue 1