Monaco deepen Paris Saint-Germain crisis with perfect start to Ligue 1 season

Monaco beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in Ligue 1 to maintain their perfect start to the season and leave the French champions without a domestic victory after their opening three league matches.

Paris Saint-Germain took the lead through Marquinhos in the 31st minute, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia providing the assist. Monaco responded after the break when Nazinho equalised in the 58th minute, before Stanis Idumbo Muzambo completed the comeback 14 minutes later.

The result gives Monaco nine points from three matches and leaves them alone at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Paris Saint-Germain, by contrast, remain on two points and sit 12th.

The victory extends an ideal beginning to the campaign for Monaco manager Felipe Luis, whose side have now won every match they have played in all competitions.

Monaco had already claimed Ligue 1 victories against Le Havre and Marseille before overcoming Paris Saint-Germain. Their strong start has also continued in Europe, where they defeated Polish side Gornik Zabrze home and away in the qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.

Paris Saint-Germain’s difficult opening to the domestic season has now continued with a first defeat in the league. They lost to Lens in the Trophee des Champions before drawing 2-2 with Rennes and Lille in their first two Ligue 1 fixtures.

The loss to Monaco means Paris Saint-Germain have still not won a domestic match this season. They have also conceded more than one goal in each of their past four Ligue 1 matches, a sequence last recorded by the capital club in 2005.

Paris Saint-Germain conceded twice against their city rivals Paris in their final match of last season, before producing the run of results that has carried into the current campaign.

Monaco’s latest success marks another significant statement from Felipe Luis’ side. Having collected maximum points from their first three league games against Le Havre, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, they lead the standings while their more illustrious opponents attempt to recover from a troubled start.

The defeat also leaves Paris Saint-Germain with little margin for error early in the campaign. After two draws and now a loss in Ligue 1, the reigning domestic force must begin collecting wins if they are to close the gap on the teams at the top of the table.

For Monaco, however, the claimed victory over Paris Saint-Germain completes a perfect league sequence and adds to their progress in the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds.