PSG Make a Statement With 6–1 Champions League Win Over Slovan Bratislava
Paris Saint-Germain have made a statement at the start of their Champions League title defence, cruising to a 6–1 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes.
After a difficult opening spell in domestic competition, PSG produced exactly the kind of European performance their supporters were hoping to see.
The reigning European champions were ruthless in front of goal, with Ferran Torres scoring three times and Ousmane Dembélé adding two goals. Fabián Ruiz completed the scoring late in the match.
And just like that, PSG reminded Europe that they are still very much in the business of winning trophies.
Dembélé gets the party started
PSG did not waste much time getting on the scoresheet.
Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before doubling his tally just six minutes later.
At 2–0 up after only 23 minutes, PSG were already in complete control.
The French champions continued pressing forward, and their attacking quality eventually created another opening.
Ferran Torres announces himself
The big story of the night was undoubtedly Ferran Torres.
The Spanish forward scored PSG’s third goal in the 31st minute, giving the hosts a comfortable 3–0 lead before half-time.
But Torres was only getting started.
He struck again just two minutes into the second half, making it 4–0.
Then, in the 57th minute, Torres completed his hat-trick.
PSG 5–0 Slovan Bratislava.
Three goals for Torres.
A nightmare for Slovan.
And a dream start to his European campaign with PSG.
The official PSG match report confirmed Torres was named UEFA Player of the Match after his three-goal performance.
Slovan pull one back
To their credit, Slovan Bratislava refused to simply disappear from the contest.
Suleiman Camara scored in the 58th minute, giving the visitors a brief moment of celebration and making the score 5–1.
But PSG were not finished.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and create chances, eventually finding a sixth goal late in the match.
Fabián Ruiz completes the rout
With just a few minutes remaining, Fabián Ruiz scored PSG’s sixth goal.
The final score:
PSG 6–1 Slovan Bratislava
⚽ Dembélé — 17′
⚽ Dembélé — 23′
⚽ Ferran Torres — 31′
⚽ Ferran Torres — 47′
⚽ Ferran Torres — 57′
⚽ Suleiman Camara — 58′
⚽ Fabián Ruiz — 87′
The result was officially recorded by PSG as a six-goal performance that immediately put the French side at the top of the Champions League standings, at least provisionally.
PSG’s attack looks frightening
For PSG supporters, perhaps the most encouraging part of the performance was the variety of their attacking threat.
Dembélé provided two goals and two assists, while Torres showed exactly why he can be such an important attacking option for Luis Enrique.
Reuters also highlighted the performances of both players as PSG opened their title defence with a dominant victory.
The numbers underline just how one-sided the match became.
PSG finished with 72.1% possession, 35 shots and 14 shots on target, compared with nine shots and four on target for Slovan.
In simple terms:
PSG had the ball. PSG created the chances. PSG scored the goals.
A welcome European response
The victory was particularly important because PSG had endured a difficult start to their domestic season.
The Champions League provided an opportunity to reset — and PSG took it.
Rather than allowing recent results to affect their confidence, the European champions produced an emphatic response.
That will be particularly pleasing for Luis Enrique, who is attempting to lead PSG towards another Champions League triumph.
The club are chasing an extraordinary achievement: a third consecutive Champions League title. Reuters reported that PSG began their defence in emphatic fashion with the 6–1 victory.
Ferran Torres gives PSG another weapon
Torres’ performance could prove significant beyond this one match.
A hat-trick in the opening Champions League fixture gives the Spanish forward an enormous confidence boost and gives Luis Enrique another attacking player capable of deciding matches.
After Dembélé’s early double, Torres took over.
And when PSG needed someone to finish the job, he delivered.
His three goals also made him the obvious standout performer of the evening.
PSG send an early warning
Champions League campaigns are long, and one big win does not guarantee another trophy.
But PSG could hardly have asked for a better opening.
Six goals.
One conceded.
A hat-trick.
A brace.
And three points.
That’s a pretty convincing opening statement.
The rest of Europe has now received its first warning:
PSG are ready to defend their crown. 🔴🏆
