Troyes 1-2 PSG: 5 Hits and Flops as Parisians win their opening game of the campaign| Ligue 1 2021-22

Kylian Mbappe rejoices after setting up Mauro Icardi. / Image: Ligue 1 Twitter Handle
Kylian Mbappe rejoices after setting up Mauro Icardi. / Image: Ligue 1 Twitter Handle

PSG started their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-1 win over Troyes. Goals from Achraf Hakimi and Mauro Icardi proved to be enough to breeze past Troyes in their opening fixture of the campaign.

The hosts stunned the Parisians in the early phases of the game as Oualid El Hajjam headed one past Keylor Navas in the 9th minute of the game to score the opener. PSG equalized in style as Achraf Hakimi banged one in to score his first goal for the club.

Mauro Icardi scored minutes later to secure the lead for his side. The Argentine poked one in after some brilliant work by Kylian Mbappe in the box to set him up.

On that note, let's have a look at the five hits and flops in the match:


#5. Hit: Abdou Diallo, PSG

Abdou Diallo
Abdou Diallo

Abdou Diallo put in a solid performance at the back for PSG. The Senegalese was virtually unbeatable at the back. Diallo and Danilo's defensive coverage allowed Mbappe the freedom he needed to tantalize the opposition at the other end of the field.

Diallo won nine duels, made four recoveries, won three tackles, made three clearances and intercepted the ball twice throughout the game. All in all, a concrete display of strength and character.


#4. Flop: Gauthier Gallon, Troyes

Achraf Hakimi scored his first goal for PSG/ Image: Bleacherreport
Achraf Hakimi scored his first goal for PSG/ Image: Bleacherreport

Gauthier Gallon conceded two goals against PSG of which one was clearly due to his positioning. The 28-year-old was caught napping away from the goal line and was brutally punished by the Parisians. Mbappe saw the opportunity and drew him further away from his goal before setting it up on a plate for Icardi to finish. As for Hakimi's goal, he was completely beaten by power on the strike.

Gallon endured a difficult night against Ligue 1 favorites PSG and was bailed out by his team-mates on various occasions. Had it not been for them, he would have conceded at least a couple more.

#3. Hit: Ander Herrera, PSG

Ander Herrera applauds the fans/ Image: PSG Twitter
Ander Herrera applauds the fans/ Image: PSG Twitter

Ander Herrera enjoyed a great game for PSG in the center of the park. The former Manchester United star took complete hold of the proceedings. He acted as a focal point in the center as he tried to orchestrate the game and maintain the tempo.

Herrera completed 81 passes (most) throughout the game. Moreover, he created five chances for PSG last night. He even set up Achraf Hakimi with a beautiful searching pass for PSG's equalizer of the game. His presence in the center allowed Georginio Wijnaldum and Julian Draxler to move up into more advanced positions.


#2. Flop: Yoann Touzghar, Troyes

Yoann Touzghar failed to threaten PSG's defensive back-line. The 34-year-old was isolated higher up the pitch and hardly made any contribution to the game. Touzghar only had 20 touches throughout his stay on the pitch.

The Tunisian found it difficult to break through the lines and move past the duo of Thilo Kehrer and Presnel Kimpembe. He was eventually replaced by Mykola Kukharevych in the 80th minute of the game.


#1. Hit: Kylian Mbappe, PSG

Kylian Mbappe in action against Troyes/ Image: Goal India
Kylian Mbappe in action against Troyes/ Image: Goal India

Kylian Mbappe was PSG's star of the night. The Frenchman raised the temperature of the game. Mbappe was too hot for the hosts to handle. He dazzled past Troyes' back-line at his own will and looked threatening every time he pulled clear. Mbappe came very close to scoring a goal as well but his effort was cleared off the line.

Mbappe won seven duels, completed five dribbles, made four recoveries and created five chances throughout the game. The 22-year-old was instrumental in PSG's win. He drew Gallon away from his post and brilliantly set one up for Mauro Icardi's winner of the night.

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