Strasbourg 1-2 PSG Player Ratings: Nuno Mendes’ Strike Wins It Ultimately for 10-Man PSG

Paris Saint-Germain managed to scrape a 2-1 win against a very spirited Strasbourg side in what turned out to be a dramatic encounter. The match had absolutely everything one could ask for. It was a chaotic, end-to-end affair filled with controversy and late drama.

Marquinhos gave away a spot-kick in the 19th minute, but Joaquín Panichelli saw his effort brilliantly saved by Matvey Safonov, a moment that completely shifted the momentum.

The visitors, as usual, drew first blood. An awkward clearance from Sarr helped Senny Mayulu finish from close range in the 22nd minute, giving them a lead that felt deserved at the time.

However, Strasbourg showed incredible fight. They came roaring back and leveled the score through a fantastic finish from Guéla Doué in the 27th minute.

The second half was just as tense, with both teams pushing for a winner. One of the best right-backs in the world currently, Achraf Hakimi, was sent off in the 74th minute, due to a nasty tackle on Panichelli's shin.

The VAR intervened and compelled the on-field referee to change his decision to a red card, thereby ending the night for the Moroccan.

It looked like it might end in a draw until the 81st minute, when Nuno Mendes popped up with a brilliant header to snatch all three points for Paris Saint-Germain.

It was a heartbreaking end for Strasbourg, who gave it their all, but a massive relief for the Parisian giants, who walked away with a hard-fought victory.

Here are the Strasbourg vs PSG Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Joaquin Panichelli saw his penalty saved by Safonov early on in the game.
• Senny Mayulu scored first for PSG after a scrappy clearance from Mamadou Sarr. Guela Doue equalized just five minutes later to restore parity.
• Achraf Hakimi was sent off in the 74th minute, but Nuno Mendes inspired the 10-man PSG to a win with a late strike.

PSG Player Ratings vs Strasbourg

Have a look at the PSG Player Ratings from the Strasbourg vs PSG Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Matvey Safonov - 8.0: Absolutely the hero for PSG. The penalty save from Panichelli was the game's defining moment, a brilliant stop that kept his team in the contest. On top of that, he made three other crucial saves, including a sharp one to deny Diego Moreira. We noticed his distribution was solid, and he commanded his area with confidence. Without him, PSG would have certainly dropped points.

Defenders

Achraf Hakimi - 4.5: A really difficult night for the fullback. He had some bright moments going forward, with four shots and decent involvement. However, his evening was completely overshadowed by the straight red card he received in the 75th minute after a VAR review. From our perspective, that reckless challenge put his team under immense pressure for the final stretch. It was a moment of madness that could have cost his team dearly.

Marquinhos - 5.5: The captain had a very mixed game. He gave away a penalty with a clumsy handball, a moment of real panic that gifted Strasbourg a golden opportunity. While he made a high number of clearances, he looked unusually shaky and lost a number of his duels. It wasn't the commanding performance we expected from him, and he was lucky Safonov bailed him out.

Nuno Mendes - 8.5: What a performance. Our man of the match, without a doubt. He was a constant threat down the left flank all game, creating three chances and delivering dangerous crosses. He capped off a superb display by scoring the winning goal with a fantastic header. His energy was relentless, contributing heavily in both defense and attack. He truly dragged his team to victory.

Willian Pacho - 7.0: A quietly effective performance at the back. Pacho was solid as a rock, making an impressive five clearances and five interceptions. He was composed on the ball, with a 93% pass accuracy, and dealt with Strasbourg's attacks calmly. While others around him had moments of madness, he was a steady and reliable presence for PSG.

Midfielders

Vitinha - 7.0: The metronome in PSG's midfield. He kept things ticking over with an outstanding 95% pass completion rate and was everywhere, recovering the ball eight times. While he didn't provide a goal or assist, his control and composure were vital in a chaotic game. He provided the stability that allowed the more attacking players to flourish.

Warren Zaïre-Emery - 7.5: Another mature and impactful performance from the young star. He provided the crucial assist for the winning goal, a perfectly weighted cross for Nuno Mendes. He worked tirelessly, winning most of his duels and driving the team forward from midfield. His decision-making in the final third was excellent, and he was instrumental in securing the win.

João Neves - 7.0: A very tidy display in the middle of the park. What stood out to us was his perfect 100% accuracy with long balls, showcasing his incredible passing range. He was strong in possession and contributed defensively with some key recoveries. He played a crucial role in maintaining PSG's rhythm throughout the match.

Forwards

Senny Mayulu - 7.5: He had a fantastic first half. He showed great instincts to be in the right place to score the opening goal, a real poacher's finish. Beyond the goal, he was lively, creating two chances and causing problems for the Strasbourg defense before being substituted around the hour mark. A very promising outing.

Bradley Barcola - 7.0: Provided the assist for Mayulu's goal with some great awareness. He was a willing runner and looked dangerous with his dribbling attempts. However, he also lost possession a few too many times for our liking. It was a good, effective performance before he was taken off at the 60-minute mark.

Ibrahim Mbaye - 6.0: He was only on the pitch for the first half and struggled to make a significant impact. While he did manage a key pass, he was largely on the periphery of the action. It wasn't a surprise to see him substituted at halftime as PSG looked for a different approach.

Manager

L. Martínez García - 6.5: His team got the three points, which is the bottom line. However, they made incredibly hard work of it. His side looked vulnerable at the back and was bailed out by individual brilliance. The substitutions he made in the second half did inject some energy, but the team's lack of control for large periods will be a concern.

Strasbourg Player Ratings vs PSG

Check out the Strasbourg Player Ratings from the Strasbourg vs PSG Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mike Penders - 6.0: It's harsh to be too critical of him. He made a couple of decent saves, but he stood little chance with either of the goals he conceded. The first was a close-range tap-in and the second a well-placed header. He did his job adequately, but it wasn't enough on the day.

Defenders

Ben Chilwell - 7.0: A really impressive attacking display from the defender. He provided a brilliant assist for the equalizer and created another big chance. He was a constant outlet on the flank. His defensive work was a bit less convincing, and he was caught offside three times, but his contribution to the goal was vital.

Ismaël Doukouré - 6.5: A solid and no-nonsense performance. He was very tidy in possession with 95% pass accuracy and made a few important blocks and clearances. He wasn't spectacular, but he did his defensive duties without any major errors. A respectable showing against a top attack.

Guéla Doué - 7.0: A game of highs and lows. He took his goal brilliantly, a composed finish that got his team right back in the match. However, from our perspective, he struggled defensively, being dribbled past three times. His attacking contribution was immense, but he found it tough going against PSG's wingers.

Mamadou Sarr - 6.0: The captain had a busy night. He made a few crucial interceptions and blocks but struggled in the air, losing most of his aerial duels. He looked a bit overwhelmed at times by the movement of PSG's forwards. A battling performance, but one that ultimately fell short.

Midfielders

Diego Moreira - 6.5: A frustrating performance to watch. He showed flashes of real quality, creating two chances and getting a shot on target. But he was also incredibly wasteful, losing possession 14 times. He picked up a late yellow card for a clumsy foul, which summed up his slightly erratic display.

Julio Enciso - 6.5: Worked his socks off for the team. He was always looking to make things happen and had a decent shot saved in the first half. His energy was infectious, and he played a key role in Strasbourg's high press before being substituted. A good shift.

Martial Godo - 5.5: He'll be having nightmares about the big chance he missed late in the game. He got into some good positions but lacked the composure to make them count. What stood out to us was his work rate, but his lack of cutting edge in the final third was costly.

Samir El Mourabet - 6.0: A quiet game from the midfielder. He struggled to get a foothold in the match and was often bypassed by PSG's quick passing. He worked hard but wasn't able to influence the game in any meaningful way before his late substitution.

Abdoul Ouattara - 5.5: Largely anonymous throughout the match. He had a couple of shots blocked but offered very little threat going forward. He was a passenger for large parts of the game and didn't contribute enough defensively either. A disappointing performance.

Forwards

Joaquín Panichelli - 4.0: It's impossible to ignore the penalty miss. At 1-0 down, he had a golden opportunity to level the score and change the entire complexion of the game. To see it saved was a gut-wrenching moment. Despite his hard work, that miss is the only thing anyone will remember from his performance. The worst performer on the pitch.

Manager

G. O'Neil - 6.0: His game plan was nearly perfect. He set his team up to be resilient and to hit PSG on the counter, which they did effectively to get their goal. His side showed great character to fight back. Ultimately, his team was let down by a crucial penalty miss. It’s hard to fault the manager for that.

Man of the Match

Nuno Mendes was undoubtedly the match of the match in this fixture.

Worst Performer

Joaquín Panichelli of Strasbourg was the worst performer in the Strasbourg vs PSG game in Ligue 1.