Title deciders don’t usually come in December, but Paris Saint-Germain’s dominant performance against Monaco had the feel of one. PSG’s recent draws against Nantes and Auxerre had opened the door for their rivals, but that door was firmly closed in a dramatic clash at the Stade Louis II. The match, initially scheduled for early January, was brought forward due to changes in the calendar related to the Trophée des Champions. This French equivalent of the Community Shield, which pits the Ligue 1 champions against the Coupe de France winners, was supposed to be held in China but was relocated to Doha due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite the logistical challenges, the match against Monaco had the potential to be a defining moment in the title race.
PSG entered the match with a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, aiming for a 10-point advantage over Monaco. However, Monaco’s recent form had been inconsistent, with injuries to key players like captain Denis Zakaria and striker Folarin Balogun leaving the team vulnerable. Balogun’s absence was particularly felt, as his injury meant that Breel Embolo and the promising George Ilenikhena had to step up, but neither had been able to fill the void effectively.
The tension was palpable before the match, with PSG hoping to regain momentum after their underwhelming performances in the Champions League. Despite the pressure mounting from their European setbacks, PSG’s recent domestic form had been solid, with the team brushing aside Lyon in their previous match. Against Monaco, PSG started strongly, with Achraf Hakimi hitting the post early and Bradley Barcola testing Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Kohn. But it was an incident involving PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma that would define the match.
In a horrific moment, Donnarumma was left bloodied and bruised after a collision with Monaco’s Wilfried Singo. The Ivorian forward, attempting to chip the keeper, missed and followed through, striking Donnarumma in the face. The collision left Donnarumma with a gaping wound that required immediate medical attention, with his face being stapled as he was escorted off the pitch. Despite Singo’s reckless actions, the referee did not show him a second yellow card or a red, deeming the foul “imprudent” rather than “reckless.” PSG players, including Marquinhos and Gonçalo Ramos, were baffled by the decision, arguing that Donnarumma had not been properly protected.
After the injury, PSG quickly capitalized. With Monaco’s Christian Mawissa injured, Vanderson was moved from his usual right-back position to left-back. However, he was unable to stop Hakimi from advancing down the wing and delivering a perfect assist to Désiré Doué, who scored his first Ligue 1 goal for PSG. Monaco, despite being on the back foot, managed to equalize through a penalty after Marquinhos handled the ball in the box. Eliesse Ben Seghir converted the penalty to level the score.
PSG, however, did not falter. They regained the lead when Ousmane Dembele pounced on a rebound from Kohn, and Goncalo Ramos scored with a powerful header from a corner. Dembele sealed the victory with a composed chip, giving PSG a 4-2 win. The result was significant, not just for the three points but also for the psychological blow it dealt to Monaco, who were left reeling from their inability to capitalize on the early equalizer.
PSG’s victory in Monaco extended their unbeaten streak in Ligue 1, with the team now having gone 32 away games without a loss. Monaco, on the other hand, was left to reflect on a missed opportunity. Their decision to press high against PSG played into the hands of the Parisians, whose individual brilliance was too much for the home side to handle. PSG’s attacking players thrived in the space afforded by Monaco’s high press, and the result was a convincing victory.
While Monaco’s manager Adi hutter insisted that the title race was not over, PSG’s 10-point lead at the top of the table seemed insurmountable. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique acknowledged that the title race was still open but pointed out that the team’s lead had been reduced to five points just days earlier. However, the events of this match, especially the image of Donnarumma’s bloodied face, may come to be remembered as the moment the Ligue 1 title was decided. PSG’s dominance and Monaco’s inability to keep up in such a crucial match could prove to be the turning point in the race for the championship.
