Paris Saint-Germain continues its impeccable performance, closely followed by Marseille and Monaco

The pace is already very high at the top of the French football championship. Paris Saint-Germain was full of victories and confidence, on Saturday afternoon, September 14, during the 4th^my Ligue 1 matchday by beating Brest (3-1) at the Parc des Princes, before hosting Girona on Wednesday to qualify for the Champions League.

With three new goals on the scoreboard, the Parisians have now scored 16 goals, or four per game. But they needed to regain the lead in the standings, which they temporarily abandoned in the afternoon following the victories of Marseille over Nice (2-0) and Monaco at Auxerre (3-0).

Facing Brestois 12^my of the championship, but which held on with a great victory against Saint-Etienne (4-0), the Parisians, despite some waste and a sometimes too risky pressing, returned to being attractive. Despite the initial Breton score (1-0, 29^my) from a penalty conceded by Romain Del Castillo after Nuno Mendes pulled his shirt in the area, Luis Enrique’s men dominated widely, with effective transition play, fluid circulation of the ball and overwhelming possession.

Thanks to this high pressure, they quickly equalised after a recovery by Bradley Barcola, who served Marco Asensio, a decisive cross over the head of Ousmane Dembélé (1-1, 42).^my).

Dembélé finally effective

PSG were also able to count on the Spanish midfielder and European champion Fabian Ruiz, who was called up for the first time since the summer, with Vitinha (ankle) and Warren Zaire-Emery (calf) out. Brilliant for his country at the European Championships this summer – and again this week – Ruiz confirmed his good form by scoring his first goal of the season with a superb shot from the left (2-1, 73).^my).

In the process, Dembélé perfectly followed a shot from Randal Kolo Muani and deflected it in to score the double (3-1, 74′).^my). On display for the French national team during the international break, the French striker scored his second and third goal for PSG this season, and his third of the week after Monday’s goal for Les Bleus against Belgium. Before being decisive, he had already alerted Marco Bizot on several occasions, who was excellent in his cages despite having conceded three goals (24).^my34^my38^my61^my).

Overall, the attacking trio lined up against Lille before the break still has some references to take such as Asensio, in false 9, who was clumsy in the finish (16^my36^my) and offside when necessary (64^my). But after Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid, Dembélé’s effectiveness in front of goal is good news for the capital club, who retain their place at the top of the league, two points ahead of Marseille.

Marseille poorly managed but victorious

Earlier, efficient and solid, although not very brilliant, OM dominated Nice 2-0 at home in a festive atmosphere that prolonged the euphoria since the arrival this summer of Roberto De Zerbi, their Italian coach.

But the Marseillais were mistreated by their neighbours for a good half hour and it was finally in a completely harmless bell that they found the opportunity, through their latest signing, Neal Maupay, ex Aiglon (1 -0.40^my). Still under pressure, De Zerbi’s team doubled their advantage with a magnificent shot from Luis Henrique after a pass from Amine Harit (2-0, 53′).^my).

The meeting ended amidst the fog of smoke bombs lit in 84^my minute for the forty years of Commando Ultra and in 94^my minute by the thirty-somethings of MTP, to also celebrate the 125 years of the club greeted by an immaculate collector’s shirt.

Monaco is developing

During the day, Monaco played at Auxerre (3-0), preparing perfectly to host FC Barcelona on Thursday, during the 1.^my Champions League Day.

Led by their midfielder and captain Denis Zakaria, who scored a decisive pass and a goal, the Monegasques pushed Auxerre even further, recording their third consecutive defeat.

Thilo Kehrer (8^my), well helped by a foul with the hand of Donovan Léon, the AJA goalkeeper, Venderson, served by Zakaria (25^my) and Zakaria himself (89^my) allow Monaco to provisionally occupy third place in the Ligue 1 standings, tied on points with OM (10 points), pending the matches of Nantes against Reims and Lens against Lyon on Sunday at the end of Matchday 4.^my day time.