18 September, by Sean Gillen

PSG grab vital away win

Monaco 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to earn a much-needed win over Monaco at the Stade Louis II. A dramatic second half improvement saw PSG pick up the victory and move away from the relegation zone in Ligue 1.

Portuguese forward Pedro Pauleta was recalled to the starting line-up for the visitors, having been rested to the substitute’s bench for the midweek UEFA Cup draw at Derry City. The PSG captain led the line well for his side, getting involved in some excellent link-up play during the match.

After an open first 20 minutes saw little in the way of attempts on goal, Pauleta chested the ball down for Brazilian Paulo Cesar, and the midfielder’s powerful drive was well saved by Monaco’s Italian goalkeeper Flavio Roma.

Monaco were marginally the better side in the first half, and took the lead when some excellent wing play from Serge Gakpe resulted in him finding forward Mohamed Kallon, who finished from close range.

Pauleta had been having a quiet period in the game, but he showed that he was still alert when he intercepted a stray pass on the halfway line and, from just five metres inside the Monaco half, decided to shoot for goal, but Roma got back in time to make the save.

PSG equalised shortly before half time when Czech defender David Rozehnal played a neat one-two with Pierre-Alain Frau, before beating Roma from 20 metres with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.

The team from the capital started the second half in positive fashion, and Frau went close with a near post volley before Sammy Traore headed onto the woodwork from a Cesar corner.

More pressure from the Parisians resulted in them taking the lead just nine minutes into the second period. Right-back Bernard Mendy picked out David Hellebuyck on the edge of the area, and the midfielder smashed the ball past Roma.

Substitute Cristian Rodriguez went on a great run and forced another save from Roma, and Pauleta curled an effort wide as PSG’s dominance of the second half continued. Monaco struggled to cause problems for the visitors, who created further chances when Kalou fired over and Cesar dragged a shot wide after some good build-up play from Pauleta.

PSG goalkeeper Michael Ladreau parried a strike from Marco Di Vaio in Monaco’s only real threat of the second period, and Pauleta’s men comfortably saw the clock down to secure the win.

Next up for Guy Lacombe’s men is a home clash with third-placed Nancy at the Parc des Princes.

Monaco:
Roma, Modesto, Bolivar, Cufre (Nimani N’Galou, 86), Givet, Bernardi, Toure (Grax, 59), Plasil, Gakpe, Kallon (Di Vaio, 45), Koller
Yellow Cards: Modesto (10), Bernardi (79)

Paris Saint-Germain:
Landreau, Mendy (Yepes, 89), Armand, Rozenanl, Traore, Drame, Cesar, Hellebuyck, Diane (Kalou, 60), Frau (Rodriguez, 64), Pauleta
Yellow Cards: Kalou (73), Mendy (90)

Goals:
[1-0] Kallon, 33
[1-1] Rozehnal, 42
[1-2] Hellebuyck, 54