PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN began the process of putting another Champions League collapse behind them as they eased to a 4-0 Ligue 1 win at relegation-threatened Dijon.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have again been left to lick their wounds following a European disappointment after surrendering a 2-0 first-leg lead against Manchester United in the last 16, losing 3-1 at Parc des Princes last week.
The inquest into their latest meltdown in Europe’s biggest club competition will go on, but PSG did at least continue their procession to another Ligue 1 title in style at Stade Gaston-Gerard on Tuesday.
Kylian Mbappe, who said he has had trouble sleeping in the aftermath of the United defeat, had a goal sandwiched by fine finishes from Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria — the latter a wonderful free-kick — as PSG moved 17 points clear of Lille at the top of the table.
Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s second league goal for the club added gloss to the scoreline in second-half injury time.
Any hope Dijon had of furthering PSG’s misery was dented after just seven minutes, when two markers allowed Marquinhos to head home a Di Maria corner at the near post.
The hosts did not lack the confidence to press in search of a quick response and Wesley Said flashed a long-range effort wide before Mbappe was thwarted by an impressive Runar Runarsson save at the other end.
Mbappe did double the lead five minutes before half-time, however, bundling home Layvin Kurzawa’s low left-wing delivery into an empty net after Runarsson failed to deal with it.
Just five minutes after the restart Di Maria extinguished any lingering Dijon hopes by bending a free-kick in off the right-hand post.
Mbappe was less fortunate as he struck the woodwork late on, but there was more misery for Dijon, who remain in the relegation play-off spot, as Choupo-Moting slid home a fourth in the 92nd minute.
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Their league aspirations received a massive boost being knocked out of the CL. At least they can now concentrate on the league and maybe win it by at least 25 points.
Who cares they choked the big one
Back to hammering the farmers…
@Colo J: Dijon just didn’t cut the mustard!!
Calm down PSG. It was Dijon! Wow! I could pick a decent X1 from the locker room in work to beat them.
If you think you’ve ever made a bad decision in life, just remember that Buffon went to PSG to win the Champions League.
@Pundit Feed: no he didn’t. he went to PSG to prolong his CL career and still play somewhat at the top level. he was 40 going there. it’s not as if he had a choice of Barca, Real Madrid or B Munich. PSG are a nothing club and they got wjatbtjeu deserved.