PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 4-0 Atalanta: Reigning champions kick off title defence in style | OneFootball

“We can do it again”, Luis Enrique had announced to the press on the eve of Paris Saint-Germain’s first-ever Champions League title defence. Wednesday night’s reception of Atalanta, however, promised a testing return to action, not least given the injury absences of both Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.

The Asturian’s revamped frontline notably featured Champions League final goalscorer Senny Mayulu in the middle, with the young Frenchman claiming a spot over the more senior option in Gonçalo Ramos. The Parisians’ opener would come from a more unikely source, though, as Fabián Ruiz’s ball into the middle was turned in by Marquinhos. The captain had pushed forward early on, and within the first three minutes found himself on the scoresheet through a deflected finish.

Les Parisiens duly pushed for a second in the immediate aftermath, with Nuno Mendes pulling a one-on-one opportunity wide minutes later. Achraf Hakimi would hit the post soon after, while Bradley Barcola was denied by an offside call after finding the back of the net from another Ruiz through ball.

From the twentieth minute, though, the Serie A side appeared to regain composure, making for more balanced but far choppier proceedings. The champions would eventually get their second through Kvaratskhelia, with the Georgian marking his return from injury with a well-placed finish from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the right wing.

The result was beyond any doubt within minutes of the second-half restart, as a Nuno Mendes solo number on the left wing, finishing from a tight angle, gave Luis Enrique’s men a 3-0 lead. With the match wrapped up by the hour mark, Les Parisiens rested on their laurels, picking up the pace only to stave off the few counter-attacks the Bergamasques were able to muster.

An injury to João Neves, though, may turn out to sour the result for the hosts, with the midfielder coming off halfway through the second half. His replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, would score last of PSG’s goals, after pouncing on a stray pass from Bellanova intended for the Atalanta goalkeeper.

Although tonight’s display came against a directionless Atalanta side, there’s still a stark contrast between this year’s PSG and the team that stuttered to just one win in their opening five continental matches last season. If even an injury-hit Paris Saint-Germain can produce this dominant a performance, Luis Enrique (whether from the press box or pitchside) has every right to believe a title defence is within reach.

Paris Saint-Germain player ratings

Lucas Chevalier, 6

Achraf Hakimi, 5

Marquinhos, 6

Willian Pacho, 6

Nuno Mendes, 7 – A dominant display from Europe’s finest left-back this calendar year. The Portuguese international breezed through the Atalanta midfield on several occasions in the first half, although he was unable to make much of his forays forward once he reached the final third. That was quickly rectified at the start of the second half with a sensational solo effort shortly after half-time.

Fabián Ruiz, 7 – Another all-action performance from the Spanish midfielder, who was successfully carried over last year’s career-high form. Assisted Marquinhos’ opener, set up Bradley Barcola’s offside goal, and was ever-present in PSG’s build-up play. Replaced by Warren Zaïre-Emery just before the hour mark.

Vitinha, 6

João Neves, 6

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 6

Senny Mayulu, 4

Bradley Barcola, 4 – The French international was the least incisive of PSG’s revamped front three, and was denied on several occasions by a valiant Carnesecchi. He did do well to pressure Bellanova into giving the ball away for Ramos’ goal at the end of the match, though.

Atalanta selected player ratings

Marco Carnesecchi, 6 – Atalanta’s goalkeeper did his best to keep the scoreline down, from springing across goal to keep Barcola’s shot out in the 8th minute to saving the French winger’s penalty just before half-time.

Raoul Bellanova, 3

Marten De Roon, 3

Daniele Maldini, 3

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from the Parc des Princes