Monaco 3-2 PSG: hosts return from two goals to stun champions

Cesc Fabregas scored a late penalty as Monaco rallied from a 2-0 defeat to win 3-2 at home to Paris Saint-Germain.

Kylian Mbappé was back in the first team on a relatively weak PSG, with Neymar and Marqunhos on the bench, and it was the young Frenchman who showed the difference in the first half.

A clever shot in the middle of the half broke a boring tie, and made it two from the spot when Danilo Pareira was brought down in the area.

Monaco were lucky to go into the first half 2-0 down, as Mbappé and Moise Kean had a goal disallowed.

With eight players under 23 from the start, Monaco brought in Cesc Fabregas at halftime to add experience and bring their team to life.

Kevin Volland quickly put the locals up with a shot with a poacher goal, and grabbed another from close range after a good job from Fabregas. Monaco then put pressure on the visitors, and a terrible mistake by Abdou Diallo allowed Fabregas to complete a remarkable comeback with a penalty.

PSG remain on top of Ligue 1, but a defeat in Tuesday’s crucial Champions League tie to RB Leipzig may cost Thomas Tuchel his place as speculation about his future persists.

PSG has regressed. Perhaps it is inevitable that the players are suffering after the disappointment of their Champions League defeat and the effort it required compared to their national teammates. But the fact is, this PSG is nowhere near the team that finished last season as the second best team in Europe.

Against Monaco, only Kylian Mbappé looked really threatening and he quickly got tired. Perhaps the sheer amount of soccer he has played at such a young age is starting to catch up with him. Neymar could not offer the same creativity that he did last season and that he has had on occasions in the League this year.

With RB Leipzig on Tuesday, a defeat could knock them out of the Champions League before the knockout stages. They have to come out of their slumber after their third loss in the league this season.

Cesc Fabregas (Monaco): On the field for just 45 minutes, he left Chelsea known perhaps for retreating further towards defense as they adjusted to their advanced age. Against PSG, though he played more like a No. 10 classic, spending much of his time on the edge of the box. For the tie, he was as far ahead as Volland and could have had more than just his winner. This was a better and different Fabregas than the one who had a difficult last season at Stamford Bridge.

Monaco: Mannone 5, Badiashile 6, Disasi 6, Ballo-Toure 6, Matsima 6, Gelson 7, Fofana 6, Tchouameni 6, Diop 6, Geubbels 6, Volland 8. Subs: Fabregas 8, Henrique 6, Luis 6, Jovetic 6, Matazo 6.

PSG: Navas 6, Kurzawa 6, Kimpembe 6, Diallo 5, Dagba 6, Rafina 6, Danilo 6, Sarabia 6, Di Maria 7, Mbappe 7, Kean 5. Subs: Florenzi 6, Bakker 6, Paredes 5, Ruiz 6, Neymar 5 .

24 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 0-1 PSG. Mbappé scores – He runs away from the central defensive pair and measures Mannone, who sinks a bit, and the forward shoots at the ceiling of the net.

36 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 0-2 PSG. Mbappé scores – Take a couple of strides and shoot past Mannone’s dive after Danilo stumbles on the box.

44 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 0-3 PSG. Mbappé scores – Di Maria shoots into a curved center for Kean, who nods to the ground before crashing against the crossbar. PSG returns, Dagba slides into Mbappé and lifts the ball over Mannone, but it is rejected.

52 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 1-2 PSG. Volland Scores – Martins plays a one-two in the area, is tackled, forcing the ball in, and Volland is at home to stab home.

65 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 2-2 PSG. Volland Scores – The German makes double when Fabregas passes a ball over Navas, reaching a pass over the top, and Volland is on hand again to finish off an empty net.

83 ‘- PENALTY! Diallo loses the ball to Volland outside the area, and Volland falls as Diallo climbs over him in the area. That mistake! And now Diallo is sent off by the tackle!

84 ‘- GOAL! Monaco 3-2 PSG. Fabregas scores – a stuttering run and sweeps his shot past Navas. What a return.