Thursday, September 23, 2021
It works even without Messi
Hakimi saves PSG in Metz
New signing Messi has to sideline due to a bone contusion, but Paris St. Germain can win without the super striker. It is the former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi who secured three points for France’s top club.
Even without the injured superstar Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain landed their seventh win in the seventh game of the season in French Ligue 1. At FC Metz, Achraf Hakimi scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-1 (1-1). He had also brought the Parisians into the lead after five minutes, the hosts equalized in the meantime with Boubakar Kouyté (39th). Metz lost Dylan Bronn in stoppage time after a yellow-red card.
Messi sustained an injury in his left knee in the previous game against Olympique Lyon. An MRI scan showed signs of bruising on the bone.
Volland scores in Monaco victory
After a successful start in the Europa League, AS Monaco celebrated their second win of the season with coach Nico Kovac. With goalkeeper Alexander Nübel and national soccer player Kevin Volland in the starting line-up, Monaco beat AS St. Etienne 3-1 (1-1).
The ex-Leverkusen-based Volland marked the lead in the 28th minute with a sharp shot from a slightly acute angle. Just six minutes later, visiting goalkeeper Etienne Green saw the red card after a gross foul on Monaco striker Myron Boadu. But despite being outnumbered, St. Etienne equalized with Denis Bouanga (41st).
After the restart, captain Ben Yedder (60th) brought the home side back into the front with a converted hand penalty, before he volleyed the decision in the 85th minute after the preparatory work by Volland.
Champions OSC Lille defeated Stade Reims 2-1 (2-0) in their second home win.