PSG Begin Title Defense With Narrow Victory

Paris St-Germain began the defence of their Ligue 1 title with victory at Nantes thanks to Vitinha’s second-half strike.

Luis Enrique’s Champions League winners came into the match fresh from lifting the Super Cup after Wednesday night’s penalty shootout victory over Tottenham.

PSG won their fourth successive league title last season by a 19-point margin, but were sluggish against the side that finished the previous campaign in 13th place.

Vitinha’s shot needed a large deflection off home defender Chidozie Awaziem to wrong-foot Anthony Lopes for the 67th-minute winner.

Luis Enrique made seven changes to the side that started the Super Cup in Udine, with attackers Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia named substitutes.

But defender Illia Zabarnyi made his debut in PSG colours after a £57m transfer from Premier League Bournemouth.

Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos thought he had added a second goal, but his effort was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR).

PSG, who only returned to training 11 days ago due to their run to the Fifa Club World Cup final, return to the Parc des Princes on Friday when they host Angers, who beat Paris FC 1-0 in their opening game.

BBC.com