For the third straight year, Paris Saint-Germain failed to win their opening match of the Ligue 1 season. Not even a great performance by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a lively cameo from Edinson Cavani and a red card for Montpellier could help the champions to overcome the home side’s early goal in the 1-1 draw.
Montpellier vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Final score 1-1, PSG can’t overcome early MHSC goal
Edinson Cavani debuted and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a lovely assist, but Montpellier put in a solid performance to earn a draw against the Ligue 1 champions.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Ibrahimovic was brilliant for most of the game for PSG, setting up his teammates in the final third constantly, but it was his giveaway that led to Montpellier’s opening goal. Remy Cabella dispossessed him to start a counter in the 10th minute, then took off towards the box and eventually finished off the move himself. Emanuel Herrera had his shot from the edge of the area blocked, but it deflected out to Cabella who hit a brilliant shot into the top corner.
PSG controlled the match for the rest of the first half, but didn’t create any clear chances. Ibrahimovic was their most influential player, but his teammates failed to test Geoffrey Jourden with their shots. To start the second half, PSG started to play faster and more direct, which eventually paid off.
Javier Pastore, who was very wasteful in the opening hour, was the man who played the ball into the box to set up his team’s equalizer. He found Ibrahimovic with a diagonal ball and the towering striker got up to nod down the ball to the back post. Maxwell, who had made a run forward from his left back spot, was in the perfect position to smash home and level the game at 1-1.
Just before a Paris Saint-Germain free kick in the 71st, Cavani was subbed on for his league debut, replacing Ezequiel Lavezzi. The ensuing free kick was cleared away by Montpellier, but Abdel El Kaoutari made an ill-advised challenge on Pastore 25 yards away from goal and was deservedly shown his second yellow card.
With Cavani on and Montpellier down a man, PSG looked threatening for the rest of the match. They failed to find a winner, though, thanks to some brilliant defending and goalkeeping by the home side. Cavani was robbed of a goal in the 74th minute when Siaka Tiéné incredibly got his boot up to block what looked like a headed debut winner for PSG’s Uruguayan ace.
Montpellier: Jourdren, Congre, Hilton, Tiene, El Kaoutari (red 72’), Marveaux, (Mezague 75’), Mounier (Martin 56’), Cabella, Camara, Stambouli, Herrera (Montaño 66’)
Goals: Cabella (10’)
Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu, Maxwell, Thiago Silva, Alex, Jallet, Verratti (Ongenda 76’), Matuidi, Pastore, Lucas Moura (Rabiot 86’), Lavezzi (Cavani 72’), Ibrahimovic
Goals: Maxwell (60’)
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