Tops / flops Clermont-PSG: Neymar and Messi put on a show, Gonalons exceeded

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Neymar, the recital

Unrecognizable.

Very criticized (and criticizable) last season, Neymar starts this new exercise in other dispositions.

The Brazilian, already very prominent during the preparation matches and the Champions Trophy, delivered a huge performance this Saturday against Clermont.

Scorer from the start (10th), the PSG No. 10 then turned into a decisive passer three times (26th, 38th, 80th).

Eloquent statistics, accompanied by an irreproachable involvement and a simplicity found in the game. Great art!

Messi also treats

In the wake of Neymar, Lionel Messi also displays a new face at the start of the season.

The Argentinian, mobile and always available for his partners, offered himself a double at the end of the match.

Served for the first time on a set by his Brazilian friend (80th), La Pulga then enchanted spectators and television viewers by deceiving Diaw with a sublime sequence of acrobatic chest-return control (86th).

Not resentful, the Clermont supporters greeted this little gem with a magnificent ovation.

This Paris has wings

Follower of 4-4-2 with his former clubs, Christophe Galtier has reviewed his plans on the Parisian bench, opting for a very effective 3-4-3 at the start of the season.

Although it is far too early to learn the first lessons, this system corresponds perfectly to the qualities of Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, very prominent on their respective wings.

The two Parisian pistons, better known for their talent as counter-attackers than for their solidity, hurt the Clermont defense very badly.

The Moroccan international even participated in the festival of his people by doubling the bet, with a beautiful powerful strike at the near post (26th).

Mendes could have imitated his teammate if Diaw had not intervened (37th, 77th).

Vitinha's good beginnings

First recruit of the Luis Campos era, Vitinha played his very first Ligue 1 match this Saturday. A successful baptism of fire.

Associated with Verratti in the Parisian midfield, the former FC Porto player grew in power over the course of the meeting.

His yellow card received at the start of the match did not prevent him from constantly going up to the dry cleaners.

Sure with the ball, he already seems very comfortable with his new team.

FLOPS

Clermont exploded

If Neymar opened the scoring in the tenth minute, Clermont first opposed a great adversity to the Parisians.

Before finally sinking over the course of the meeting.

Pascal Gastien's men began to rack up the loss of balls and let PSG come off too easily before the break.

Harmless and overwhelmed in the second half, the Auvergne club started its season badly.

And without several saving interventions from Diaw, the bill could have been even more salty.

Gonalons in pain

Back in France after a five-year exile abroad, Maxime Gonalons had a bad evening.

The former Lyonnais, author of a loss of ball at the origin of the second Parisian goal, quickly seemed overwhelmed by the Parisian mastery.

Warned in the second half then replaced at the end of the match, the 33-year-old player will have to show a better face next weekend, on the lawn of Reims.