By Web Desk 
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began their Ligue 1 title defense with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Le Havre on Friday, marking their first competitive outing since the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid. The win provided a strong start to the season for Luis Enrique’s side, signaling that PSG remains a formidable force even without their talismanic forward.
The match started with a bang as South Korean international Lee Kang-in opened the scoring for PSG in the third minute, capitalizing on a pass from Goncalo Ramos. However, Le Havre quickly responded through Gautier Lloris, leveling the score. The game remained tightly contested until the closing stages, when PSG’s superior depth came to the fore. Late goals from substitutes Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and a Randal Kolo Muani penalty secured the victory for the Parisians.
A New Era for PSG
The absence of Kylian Mbappe, who left for Real Madrid in June after netting 44 goals last season, loomed large over the match. Despite the lack of a marquee replacement for Mbappe, PSG’s performance demonstrated their ability to adapt and find new avenues to goal. “It is the first game back, and it’s a very good start,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, acknowledging the strong showing while also noting areas for improvement.
The match was a showcase of PSG’s new talents, with the French international trio of Kolo Muani, Dembele, and Barcola starting on the bench. Portugal’s Joao Neves, a summer signing from Benfica, made his debut in the second half, adding to the team’s depth. Despite the win, Luis Enrique highlighted the need for greater consistency, stating, “The final score disguises the fact that there are things to improve upon.”
Le Havre’s Resilience
Le Havre, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, put up a spirited fight. They nearly took the lead early in the second half when Josue Casimir found the net, only for his goal to be disallowed by VAR for a handball. The hosts’ resilience kept PSG on their toes, but ultimately, the visitors’ quality shone through.
Luis Enrique praised his substitutes for their impact on the game, particularly in the latter stages. “The substitutes did a lot of good for us,” he said, noting that their contributions were pivotal in securing the three points. The victory was not without its challenges, however, as PSG lost Goncalo Ramos to an ankle injury, forcing an early change that saw Kolo Muani enter the fray.
Late Surge Secures Victory
As the match neared its conclusion, PSG’s depth became apparent. Dembele, who was introduced for the final 20 minutes, headed home a cross from Neves in the 85th minute to restore PSG’s lead. Just a minute later, Barcola added a third with a curling effort, and Kolo Muani won and converted a penalty in stoppage time to seal the win.
Le Havre’s performance, particularly in the first half, was commendable, but PSG’s late surge proved too much for the home side. The victory offers a promising start to what will be a challenging season for PSG as they navigate the post-Mbappe era. With key players still settling into the squad and regulars like Nuno Mendes and Fabian Ruiz absent, the Parisians will look to build on this performance in the weeks ahead.
Next up for PSG is a clash with Monaco, who finished as runners-up last season. With Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG will be keen to establish their dominance early in the campaign and demonstrate that life after Mbappe can still bring success.