With recent hard-fought draws against PSG and Nice, this year’s surprise Champions League-chasers Brest were proving that their early-season form had been no fluke. As they returned to the Parc des Princes for a midweek Coupe de France last-16 tie, though, manager Eric Roy understandably opted to rotate his team. The league leaders – including the returning Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé – made sure there would be no repeat of last month’s result.
A spirited start did see the Bretons carve out the best chances initially – a long-range shot from Satriano hit the post, before a reflex save from Donnarumma kept out Magnetti’s half-volleyed effort.
It didn’t take long for the hosts’ devastating front three to click into gear, though, as Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé took full control of their respective wings. Kylian Mbappé’s opener would initially come from some rugged pressing from Dembélé to win the ball back, before Zaïre-Emery played the France captain through to rifle in from a tight angle. The former Barcelona man was again instrumental for the second, breezing past Magnetti on the wing before finding Danilo in the middle for a front-post finish.
Brest briefly had hope of a comeback as Steve Mounié headed in just past the hour mark – only for Lilian Brassier to pick up a second yellow card, for a stamp on Mbappé’s heel, minutes later. With the intensity of the game dying down, PSG would add a third in stoppage time, the substitute Gonçalo Ramos sweeping home into an open net from Hakimi’s cross – potentially a much-needed confidence-booster for the summer signing.
PSG player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6
Achraf Hakimi, 6
Danilo Pereira, 7
Marquinhos, 5
Lucas Beraldo, 6
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6
Fabián Ruiz, 5
Vitinha, 4
Ousmane Dembélé, 7
Kylian Mbappé, 7
Bradley Barcola, 6
Brest player ratings
Grégoire Coudert, 4
Kenny Lala, 4
Julien Le Cardinal, 5
Lilian Brassier, 3
Bradley Locko, 4
Mahdi Camara, 5
Jonas Martin, 5
Hugo Magnetti, 5
Kamory Doumbia, 5
Martín Satriano, 5
Steve Mounié, 6
