Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain got their title defence off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Nantes on Sunday.
A long-distance strike from midfielder Vitinha was enough for Luis Enrique’s side to secure an away win to start the season, just four days after their UEFA Super Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
Such was the European champions’ dominance, Nantes failed to register a shot on target in the game with PSG having over 70% of the ball, with the scoreline kind to the hosts in a game where they never really got going.
After Vitinha broke the deadlock, PSG began to look short of ideas, just as they had for long spells against Europa League winners Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Franco Arland/Getty Images
The Portugal international collected the ball about 20-meters out in the 67th minute and his strike clipped defender Chidozie Awaziem as he tried to duck under the ball, before wrong-footing goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
That proved enough for Enrique’s side, who were again without goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italy No. 1 announced his PSG exit last week amid links to a Premier League move.
– Luis Enrique: PSG ‘didn’t deserve’ to win UEFA Super Cup
– If not PSG’s Dembélé, who should win the 2024-25 Ballon d’Or?
A scrappy first half saw little creativity, and neither Chevalier or Lopes had much to do.
Nantes coach Luis Castro may regret leaving striker Matthis Abline on the bench until the 60th minute as the side looked much sharper once he came on.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
