Paris Saint-Germain 0-2 AS Monaco: 5 hits and flops as defending champions lose at home | Ligue 1 2020-21

Paris Saint-Germain succumbed to a 2-0 loss to AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes
Paris Saint-Germain succumbed to a 2-0 loss to AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes

Mauricio Pochettino lost his second game as Paris Saint-Germain manager after the defending Ligue 1 champions succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to AS Monaco on Sunday.

Sofiane Diop and Guillermo Maripan were on target for Monaco, who became the first team since AS Nancy in the 2011/12 season to complete a domestic double over Paris Saint-Germain.

The hosts, who thrashed Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, appeared to be exhausted and turned in a flat performance.

The defeat was Paris Saint-Germain's sixth of the season, their most in a single league campaign in nine years. They now trail runaway leaders Lille by four points.

Here are five hits and flops from Paris:

Flop: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Kylian Mbappe was below his best for Paris Saint-Germain against Monaco
Kylian Mbappe was below his best for Paris Saint-Germain against Monaco

Having put up an inspired performance against Barcelona on Tuesday, netting a brilliant hat-trick at the Camp Nou, Kylian Mbappe seemed to have run out of gas against Monaco.

The 22-year-old forward's magic was nowhere to be seen as he was completely overpowered by Monaco's stoic defense, who kept him firmly under wraps.

Failing to muster even a single effort at goal, Mbappe was dispossessed four times on the night, the most alongside Moise Kean, and completed only three of his seven attempted dribbles.

The Frenchman boasts a terrific record against his former employers but tonight was arguably one of his worst-ever performances for Paris Saint-Germain.

Hit: Aurelien Tchouameni (AS Monaco)

Aurelien Tchouameni showed why he's wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni showed why he's wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid

Aurelien Tchouameni ran the show for Monaco, making his impact at both ends of the field as the visitors never ceded control of the match.

The 21-year-old was the key to breaking PSG's attack. He made several blocks and interceptions while spraying passes forward to Monaco's attackers.

The former Bordeaux midfielder has made a huge impact for Monaco in his first full season with the club, and tonight was another reminder of his seamless potential.

Flop: Paris Saint-Germain's defense

Where was PSG's defense tonight?
Where was PSG's defense tonight?

The Paris Saint-Germain defenders were shambolic against Monaco and were well-beaten in the build-up to both goals.

The lack of urgency during those moments was shocking to say the least, as no one even attempted to make a block.

Paris Saint-Germain were at their peak on Tuesday, nullifying the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann on their own soil, but came a cropper on this occasion.

Hit: Guillermo Maripan (AS Monaco)

Guillermo Maripan scored his fifth goal for Monaco in 2021 - and he's a defender!
Guillermo Maripan scored his fifth goal for Monaco in 2021 - and he's a defender!

Monaco centre-back Guillermo Maripan put in a superb individual performance against Paris Saint-Germain.

The 26-year-old, who joined Monaco from Alaves in 2019, showed excellent positional awareness and never allowed the likes of Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe any time and space on the ball.

The Chilean made three tackles and a game-high of six clearances in the match. However, his best contribution of the night came at the other end of the field when he fired home Monaco's second goal of the evening.

Flop: Mauro Icardi (Paris Saint-Germain)

A no-show from Paris Saint-Germain's attackers tonight, including Icardi
A no-show from Paris Saint-Germain's attackers tonight, including Icardi

It's been a tough season for Mauro Icardi, who missed a large chunk of the season due to injury.

However, since the turn of the new year, the Argentine striker has shown signs of life, netting thrice and making four assists. Unfortunately, he never looked like he was going to add to his tally against Monaco.

Icardi managed just one effort all night, shooting a long ball over the crossbar from close range in the seventh minute.

The former Inter Milan hitman was denied service throughout the game. When in possession of the ball, Monaco marked him close enough to make sure he never got any space to try his luck.

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