Maghnes Akliouche found the cleanest moment of a difficult Paris Saint-Germain night, driving home his first goal for the club to complete Saturday’s 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Le Mans.
The move
Akliouche struck the final goal in the sixth round of the French season, producing a fine finish after being selected in a much-changed PSG side. The 23-year-old France international had made a quiet start to the campaign, but his display gave Luis Enrique a timely answer before a demanding run of fixtures.
“Akliouche was the outstanding player on the pitch,” Luis Enrique said after the match. The PSG coach praised the former Monaco player’s versatility, technical level and physical qualities, stressing that he can operate as a striker, wide attacker or midfielder.
“I like everything he brings,” the Spanish coach said. “I am very happy to have him.”
The goal was Akliouche’s first in Paris colours. It also added to the international record of a player who has 12 France caps and one goal for Les Bleus.
The French season around it
Luis Enrique reshaped his starting XI after an unusually long international break, with many regulars returning depleted from national-team duty. Akliouche took his opportunity while several established PSG attackers were not part of the usual attacking line-up.
- Maghnes Akliouche
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Désiré Doué
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
PSG created a series of major chances and deserved the points, Luis Enrique said, although he admitted the contest was far from straightforward. The result comes before a severe stretch for the reigning two-time European champions, who are due to face Manchester City, Barcelona and Lyon.
For Le Mans coach Patrick Videira, the disappointment centred on his side’s reaction after levelling the score. He felt his players were carried away by the equaliser and lost tactical discipline, rather than using the ball more effectively across the pitch and in behind the PSG defence.
Videira said Le Mans had shown a promising side of themselves in Paris, but made clear that he expects more from his team.
