It was the ultimate David versus Goliath clash as Paris Saint-Germain travelled down to the south-west of France to face sixth tier (Régionale 1) side US Revel in the round of 64 of the Coupe de France. Lining up with a low-block comprising of a back six, the amateur side were from kick-off playing a gamble on percentages – playing Castres Olympique’s 12,300 capacity Rugby ground.
Their pre-match cry of of “let’s go to war” picked up by BeIN Sports’ microphones seemed to encapsulate Revel’s mindset heading into the first 10 minutes of the game. With PSG only threatening through a long range shot going just wide through Kylian Mbappé, Revel managed to break on a couple of occasions through Pierre Ritter and Jean Boyer on the counter attack after soaking Parisien pressure.
Marco Asensio’s close range effort was parried away well by Revel keeper Cyril Garcia, then launching a counter attack that saw Pierre Ritter try to lob Keylor Navas from 30 yards. Yet, it was Les Parisiens who made the breakthrough on the 15th minute through Kylian Mbappé, whose low finish was fed through by Carlos Soler. It became the France captain’s 30th goal in the Coupe de France.
PSG held the ball for long periods of the half, looking to double their lead and getting close on occasion with Nordi Mukiele’s cross almost creeping in and Mbappé skying a glorious chance from the centre of the box. After some energetic pressing from Revel, Les Parisiens would go on to double their lead – an own goal from Maxence N’Guessan who turned in a dangerous ball from Nordi Mukiele from the right side. Mbappé was through once again shortly after the goal, but couldn’t get his shot on target.
Les Parisiens would go three up through Asensio who was found down the right (a recurring problem for Revel down the right flank) and finished easily. The highlight of the first period came just before half-time with a spectacular goal from PSG – started via a scooped ball from Carlos Soler which was scorpion-flicked by Asensio into the path of Mbappé for his second goal. Mbappé would complete his hat-rick shortly after the break, with Asensio once again serving the Frenchman with a perfect assist.
PSG would then go six goals to the good, after Gonçalo Ramos won a penalty on the counter-attack. The Portuguese international then converted, before Randal Kolo Muani would provide the seventh with a finish from the six-yard box. An eighth goal would be added by Cher Ndour with his first goal in PSG colours, a precise finish into the corner inside the box.
US REVEL SELECTED PLAYER RATINGS
Cyril Garcia, 6 – The Revel shot-stopper had an colossal task on his hand facing the star-studded attack of Les Parisiens. Yet, despite conceding nine against the Ligue 1 Champions Garcia came out with a lot of credit. He was on hand during the first half to stifle what would have been an early flurry of PSG goals, yet the sheer quality of his opponents would come to shine through.
Maxime Zahil, 5
Pierre Ritter, 6
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER RATINGS
Keylor Navas, 5
Nordi Mukiele, 7
Manuel Ugarte, 5
Danilo Pereira , 7
Beraldo, 6
Cher Ndour, 6
Carlos Soler, 7
Randal Kolo Muani, 6
Gonçalo Ramos, 4 – Whilst the spotlight was taken from him because of the good performances of those around him, the Portuguese international wasn’t on top form. He did, however, win a penalty and dully converted it on the 70th minute before making way on the bench.
Marco Asensio, 7 – It was assists galore for the Spaniard who was on hand for two Mbappé goals and even got onto the scoresheet himself with a lovely finish past Garcia to put PSG 3-0 ahead before half time
Kylian Mbappé, 8 – Whilst the Frenchman was slow to get into the game, once he found his gear Mbappé was at his devastating best. The Frenchman opened proceedings with his low trademark finish on the turn, before getting a brace shortly before half-time with a header (finishing off a wonderful scorpion-flicked assist from Asensio). He completed a hat-trick shortly after half-time, finishing off another assist from Marco Asensio. He become the first player to score 30 goals for a single professional club in the Coupe de France since Delio Onnis with AS Monaco in 1980
