Despite two goals from Kylian Mbappé on Friday evening, Paris Saint-Germain failed to overcome OGC Nice. PSG coach Luis Enrique fielded 390 million euros worth of attacking acquisitions against a defense that cost around 21 million euros, but the away team came out on top.
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It became clear in the first half that PSG would have a tough evening. Nice played with a focus on counter-attacks and had a cunning attack with Terem Moffi, Sofiane Diop, and Gaëtan Laborde. That attack struck in the twentieth minute for the first time. Mbappé made a mistake at the back, where he claimed the ball, and Moffi scored.
It was Mbappé who rectified his own mistake with a beautiful goal, in front of his younger brother's eyes. Ethan Mbappé has often sat in the stands during his brother's matches, but this time he could watch from the bench. Luis Enrique included sixteen-year-old Ethan Mbappé in the squad for the first time, but the midfielder did not make his debut.
There was no opportunity for that because PSG couldn't get control of the game. In the second half, Laborde and Moffi scored goals in quick succession, forcing PSG into a serious chase. Randal Kolo Muani, who cost 95 million euros this summer, made his debut, replacing Gonçalo Ramos (65 million). Shortly thereafter, Ousmane Dembélé (50 million) also left the field, with only Mbappé (180 million) remaining. He scored a late goal to narrow the gap, but PSG couldn't go further.
As a result, PSG suffers its third points loss of the season and is overtaken by Nice. AS Monaco remains at the top of Ligue 1, even with one game less played. PSG can now turn its focus to Europe, with Borussia Dortmund being their first European opponent in the Champions League on Tuesday.
