Player Ratings: PSG a Joy to Watch Against Lens
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Player Ratings: PSG a Joy to Watch Against Lens
Kylian Mbappé led Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 win over RC Lens on Saturday at the Parc des Princes
Joy, hope, optimism, and pride swept over Paris Saint-Germain supporters across the globe as the reigning French champions dismissed a very good RC Lens side 3-1 at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
It was PSG’s third Ligue 1 match of the season, and after two disappointing draws, Les Parisiens not only scored a goal from open play, but they looked like a balanced team all working towards a unified mission.
There were fantastic performances all over the pitch, but credit has to be given to the new manager, Luis Enrique. He wasn’t PSG’s first choice to replace the outgoing Christophe Galtier, and he arrived as Lionel Messi was walking out the door. Just a couple of months later, Neymar Jr. would leave PSG, and Kylian Mbappé’s future is still up in the air.
Amid all of this drama, Enrique has said the right thing in the media and gone about implementing his football philosophy during training. You also have to give him some credit for PSG’s transfer window. While football advisor Luis Campos is the main man in charge, Enrique undoubtedly has a say in the type of players that fit his system.
Against Lens, we saw the fruits of Enrique’s labor as the squad recorded 17 total shots (7 on goal) and 66 percent possession. The style of play was fast, and when PSG lost possession, players tracked back to win the ball back. It seems simple, but supporters haven’t seen this kind of commitment in years.
The good news is that PSG is still active in the transfer market and could sign players that will improve an already very talented squad.
First, let’s look at the players in the squad now and rate their performance against Lens.
Player Ratings
1 is the lowest score possible and indicates an extremely poor performance, and 10 is the highest score possible and indicates a world-class, game-changing performance.
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 5
Gianluigi Donnarumma is not good with his feet, and he never will be. He’s also not a great distributor of the ball either. All of which were on display against Lens. To Donnarumma’s credit, the late goal scored by Lens was due mostly to shoddy defending rather than his error, so I’ll give him that.
Milan Škriniar - 5
It's a slightly inferior performance from Milan Škriniar compared to what we’ve seen in the first two matches of the season. The former Inter Milan defender only won two of six aerial duels, and I would like to see more than just two headed clearances from him as well.
Marquinhos - 4
Are the best days behind Marquinhos? Is the possibility of him being stripped of the captaincy affecting his play on the pitch? Whatever it is, the 29-year-old hasn’t played up to expectations for two seasons, and it’s continuing into the third. For me, it’s time for Danilo Pereira to replace Marquinhos in the starting lineup.
Lucas Hernández - 7
Lucas Hernández was the star of PSG’s defense against Lens. His pass to Mbappé for this first was perfectly placed, and up until he was subbed off in the 83rd minute, the former FC Bayern Munich defender created four scoring chances. When Nuno Mendes returns from injury, PSG may have the two best left-backs in Europe.
Achraf Hakimi - 3
I just watched the goal Lens scored, and it’s making me angry. From a throw-in, Hakimi is easily beaten by Florian Sotoca going toward the baseline. Hakimi then gives up and watches as Sotoca passes to Morgan Guilavogui, who blasts a shot past Donnarumma. Last week, Hakimi was the one who gave away a penalty to Toulouse. Nordi Mukiele can’t return from injury fast enough.
Manuel Ugarte - 9
If you weren’t sold on Manuel Ugarte before, this performance against Lens should make you a believer. Against Lens, Ugarte recorded 69 touches, ten ground duels won, three tackles, three accurate long balls, and one blocked shot. He was all over the pitch, and his physical style of play won the admiration of PSG supporters everywhere.
Vitinha - 7
A solid performance from Vitinha on the night. His shooting could use some work…OK, a lot of work, and he does pass backward way too often, but he’s a great dribbler, and when he did look for a forward pass, good things typically happened for PSG.
Warren Zaïre-Emery - 7
I almost gave Warren Zaïre-Emery a ten just for going to the Ultras after the match and picking up a megaphone to lead them in a chant. During the match, the 17-year-old recorded the assist for Marco Asensio’s first goal in a PSG shirt and created two chances overall. Zaïre-Emery is blossoming into the type of player that PSG used to let sit on the bench and leave for another top European club. It finally feels like PSG has learned its lesson, and the young Frenchman will be part of the club’s plans for years to come.
Marco Asensio - 8
A surprisingly solid performance from Marco Asensio. Playing as a false nine, the former Real Madrid man scored his first goal for PSG when he received a one-touch pass from Zaïre-Emery just outside of the box and perfectly placed his shot past the outstretched arms of Brice Samba. With Randal Kolo Muani expected to join PSG this week, Asensio will likely head to the bench, but from what we’ve seen, he’s an excellent scoring option for Enrique to consider late in games.
Kylian Mbappé - 9
Three goals in two matches since coming back into the squad for Kylian Mbappé. His first goal against Lens was a thing of beauty as he ran onto a pass from Hernández and fired a missile past Samba. Mbappé’s second goal was a bit of a fluke, but what isn’t a fluke is the happiness that the Frenchman appears to be playing with. Finally free of Messi and Neymar, this is the Mbappé show, and so far, he’s living up to the billing.
Ousmane Dembélé - 7
We’re still waiting for that first goal from Ousmane Dembélé, but it’s not for a lack of trying. I’ve been so impressed with Dembélé ability to beat his defender. Against Lens, Dembélé recorded 60 touches, three passes into the final third, and four chances created. It’s just that one big chance missed against Lens and other chances missed against Toulouse FC that is frustrating to watch. It will come, though.
Substitutes
Danilo Pereira - NA
Played less than 10 minutes.
Carlos Soler - NA
Played less than 10 minutes.
Fabián Ruiz - 6
Fabián Ruiz came on in the 80th minute for Dembélé and assisted Mbappé for his second goal on the night. Ruiz continues to impress when called upon and adds significant quality to PSG’s bench. I hope Enrique considers starting Ruiz when PSG enters the Coupe de France.
Stats via fotmob.com