Paris St-Germain begin Champions League defence in emphatic fashion

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PSG 4 - 0 Atalanta

Paris St-Germain began the defence of their Champions League crown in emphatic fashion with a commanding win over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes.

Author | Andrea

Stadium | Parc des Princes

Super News Football | Champions League | PSG v Atalanta | Pre match display

The holders, who lifted their first European title with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in May, quickly imposed themselves on another Serie A opponent. Marquinhos struck inside three minutes, steering in Fabian Ruiz’s low cross from the left.

Luis Enrique’s side created a flurry of chances as Nuno Mendes fired narrowly wide, teenager Senny Mayulu saw an effort deflected over and Marco Carnesecchi produced fine saves to keep out Bradley Barcola and Achraf Hakimi. The pressure eventually told when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead before half-time, the Georgian skipping past defenders and rifling home from 18 yards.

Enrique, who had taken a vantage point high in the stands for the opening half, saw his side handed the chance to extend their advantage from the spot after Yunus Musah fouled Marquinhos. Barcola stepped up with Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué sidelined, but his tame penalty was comfortably saved by Carnesecchi.

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The third goal arrived soon after the restart as Mendes drove a low finish past Carnesecchi from a tight angle. Atalanta, led by former Southampton manager Ivan Juric, offered little in attack and their evening was capped by a late mistake when Raoul Bellanova’s backpass was intercepted by substitute Gonçalo Ramos, who slotted home to seal a 4-0 win.

Super News Football | Champions League | PSG v Atalanta | View from the stands collage

PSG now face Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen away in October before hosting Bayern Munich and Tottenham in November. Atalanta will attempt to revive their campaign when they welcome Club Brugge on 30 September.

No Dembele? No Doue? No problem when you have Kvaratskhelia.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a superb goal as the loss of Dembele and Doue wasn’t really felt by the European champions. This display shows the insane strength in depth that PSG have and why they are favourites to win the competition again.

Atalanta outclassed

Atalanta arrived in Paris unbeaten in Serie A this season, but the side has been stripped of some of the key figures behind their recent success. Gian Piero Gasperini left for Roma in the summer after nine years in charge, last season’s leading scorer Mateo Retegui was sold to Saudi Arabia, and Ademola Lookman, the African footballer of the year, has been sidelined following a failed attempt to secure a move.

Location: 24 Rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75016 Paris, France

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