European roundup: PSG’s slump continues with defeat at Monaco

  • 3/20/2022
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Paris Saint-Germain produced a woeful performance as they lost 3-0 at Monaco in Ligue 1, a result that will put coach Mauricio Pochettino under more pressure less than two weeks after their Champions League exit. PSG, on 65 points from 29 games, still lead Marseille and Nice by 15 points before those sides meet later on Sunday, following a third straight away league defeat. With Lionel Messi ruled out by a bout of flu, the capital side showed close to nothing at the Louis II stadium 11 days after being knocked out of the Champions League last 16 by Real Madrid. “They played well, congratulations to them. They’re a good team, a great club,” the PSG striker Kylian Mbappé said. “The goal is to get the 10th French title. We can win 8-0, 9-0, people will talk about the Champions League. Whatever happens we must respect ourselves, if we have a little bit of self-esteem. We also need to respect the fans.” “The way we lost is not acceptable at this level of competition. We can’t start a game the way we started this one,” said Pochettino, who took over midway through last season. “We need to get over the Champions league exit, hopefully the international break will help put it behind us.” Wissam Ben Yedder put the hosts ahead on 25 minutes after beating Presnel Kimpembe at the near post to deflect Youssouf Fofana’s cross into the top corner. PSG were not much better after the break, although Mbappé wasted a couple of good opportunities before Monaco doubled their advantage in the 68th minute. An unchallenged Fofana found Ben Yedder on the right and the France striker’s pass reached Ruben Aguilar who deflected the ball for Kevin Volland to score from six metres. PSG conceded another goal six minutes from time. Volland was tripped in the box by Kimpembe and Ben Yedder converted the resulting penalty to confirm PSG’s fourth consecutive away defeat in all competitions. In Serie A, first-half goals from Paulo Dybala and Dusan Vlahovic earned Juventus a comfortable 2-0 win over the bottom side, Salernitana, as Massimiliano Allegri’s side kept in touch with the leaders, Milan. Starting his first game in more than a month after an injury layoff, Dybala wasted no time in getting back among the goals, sweeping his side in front inside five minutes. The Serbia striker Vlahovic then missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0, before making one count, rising highest to head home and effectively put the game to bed in the 29th minute. In the second half the visitors rallied and created some openings of their own, with Federico Bonazzoli’s volley brilliantly kept out by Wojciech Szczesny, but they could not force their way back into the contest. The hosts held on to stretch their unbeaten league run to 16 matches, closing the gap to leaders Milan to seven points, while also now sitting one point behind champions Internazionale in third.

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