PSG turn it around at Troyes to win | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain came back from a goal down at promoted Troyes to kick off the new Ligue 1 season with a 2-1 victory, with Mauro Icardi netting the winner.

THE MATCH

With French football abuzz at the prospect of Lionel Messi joining Paris Saint-Germain, Mauricio Pochettino's side succeeded where potential title rivals Monaco and Lyon had failed by picking up three points in Round 1.

Ligue 2 champions Troyes  attempted to take advantage of PSG being without a host of star names and they caught the visitors cold, going in front (9') when Dylan Chambost's left-footed corner was headed in by Oualid El-Hajjam for Troyes' first goal at home against the capital club since 2006.

Determined not to begin 2021-2022 the way they began last season - when they fell to back-to-back defeats in their opening games - and Ander Herrera had the visitors' first serious attempt (14').  PSG's summer recruitment has been impressive and Achraf Hakimi marked his league debut with the equaliser (19') as he latched onto a Herrera pass, held off Youssouf Koné and beat goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon.

Within two minutes, PSG were in front (21'). Herrera picked out Kylian Mbappé, who cleverly pulled the ball back for Icardi to score with a fine three-touch finish. Herrera was pulling the strings in midfield and another astute pass released Mbappé, who took Gallon out of the game only to see his shot headed off the line by home captain Jimmy Giraudon (24').

Making his Troyes debut, former Nîmes forward Renaud Ripart brought a save out of Keylor Navas (28') and then the Costa Rican denied the same player's well-struck shot (35'). After a pulsating first half, the second period couldn't live up to the excitement, although Mbappé looked sharp as he started for the first time since France fell to Switzerland on penalties in the Round of 16 of UEFA EURO 2020.

Mbappé fired over (81') and Florian Tardieu (90+1') kept Navas and PSG sweating until the last as Laurent Battles' Ligue 2 champions showed up well on their return to the big time. PSG will be relieved to have overcome this first hurdle while Pochettino awaits having the full squad at his disposal.

THE PLAYER: Keylor Navas

With Gianluigi Donnarumma, the player of UEFA EURO 2020, having joined from AC Milan, Navas faces competition for his place this season. The former Real Madrid shot-stopper played a massive role in PSG's victory, making a string of fine saves, and will take some dislodging from the side.

THE STAT: 8

Troyes have lost their last eight Ligue 1 games against PSG, a record losing run for them against any opponents in the top flight.

>> Slimani salvages point for Lyon

>> Resilient Nantes frustrate Monaco