Angers 1-2 PSG: Player ratings as Mbappe & Messi inspire win
By Tom Gott
Paris Saint-Germain had Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to thank as they battled to an uncomfortable 2-1 win over Angers on Friday.
Two goals from the former and some sensational playmaking from the latter got the job done in the first half, but Angers caused plenty of problems after the break and bagged the consolation goal they deserved late on through Sada Thioub.
PSG quickly took control of possession and they would have to wait just nine minutes for their first goal.
Some deep playmaking from Messi saw Juan Bernat played in behind on the left, and his cut-back was finished off by Mbappe at the second time of asking.
Angers did wake up and caused a handful of problems down the other end, but they found themselves 2-0 down after 26 minutes thanks to another Mbappe strike.
Messi's sensational through ball beat the entire Angers defence, allowing Mbappe to round the goalkeeper and tap into an empty net.
The duo switched roles later in the half as Mbappe found Messi, but the Argentine's snapshot was well kept out by Paul Bernardoni.
PSG took their lead into half-time but, despite boasting close to 70% possession, were actually tied with Angers with six shots on goal in a first 45 minutes which was not always comfortable for the visitors.
Jean Bahoya's overhead kick provided an exciting start to the second half. Achraf Hakimi blocked the effort before Himad Abdelli's backheeled effort was pulled back for offside.
Bahoya continued his quest to become the main character with a tame penalty appeal as Angers continued to ask questions of their expensive visitors, peppering the PSG goal in search of a comeback.
Against the run of play, PSG nearly snatched a third as Mbappe's strike from outside the box looked destined to dip over Bernardoni, but the Angers stopper managed to tip the ball away.
Angers got the goal they deserved with just a few minutes to go as Abdallah Sima headed back towards fellow substitute Thioub, who was unmarked in the box to power home and set up a nervy final few minutes, but PSG eventually held on for the win.
Angers player ratings (5-3-2)
GK: Paul Bernardoni (6); RB: Abdoulaye Bamba (6); CB: Yan Valery (7); CB: Cedric Hountondji (6); CB: Ousmane Camara (6); LB: Justin-Noel Kalumba (6); CM: Himad Abdelli (8); CM: Batista Mendy (7); CM: Adrien Hunou (6); ST: Ibrahima Niane (6); ST: Jean Bahoya (6)
Substitutes: Sada Thioub (7), Abdallah Sima (7), Waniss Taibi (N/A)
PSG player ratings (3-5-2)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6/10 - Some solid saves to ensure there were no slip-ups here. Far busier than he'll have expected to be.
CB: Marquinhos - 6/10 - Solid enough without needing to do anything spectacular.
CB: Sergio Ramos - 7/10 - His forward passing was essential to PSG's attempts to keep pushing forwards.
CB: Danilo Pereira - 6/10 - Involved at both ends of the field but didn't always look comfortable.
RM: Achraf Hakimi - 6/10 - Not particularly impactful in attack but it was his interception which set up the second goal.
CM: Carlos Soler - 5/10 - Bullied in midfield in another unconvincing performance.
CM: Fabian Ruiz - 6/10 - Nice on the ball and happy to get involved in the gritty defensive work as well.
CM: Vitinha - 5/10 - Didn't offer enough in possession.
LM: Juan Bernat - 7/10 - A nice run and smart cut-back for the opening goal.
ST: Lionel Messi - 8/10 - Sublime playmaking to pull all the strings. Some outrageous passing.
ST: Kylian Mbappe - 8/10 - Made the difference in front of goal yet again. Faded after the break.
Substitutes
Marco Verratti (62' for Soler) - 5/10 - Didn't make the impact he should have.
Warren Zaire-Emery (88' for Vitinha) - N/A
El Chadaille Bitshiabu (89' for Bernat) - N/A
Manager
Christophe Galtier - 5/10 - Didn't have the answer to Angers' attempted dominance but was bailed out by Mbappe and Messi being Mbappe and Messi.