All is well for the capital club, who announced on Friday that coach Luis Enrique has extended his contract until 2027, while Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes all penned new deals to stay until 2029.
“My reaction can only be positive,” Luis Enrique said when asked about his new deal.
“Since the first day the club has shown confidence in me. I am very happy to have this support.”
Monaco had been hoping to cause an upset and boost confidence before hosting Benfica on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, but this was the third time in a little over seven weeks they had lost to PSG.
“Compliments Luis Enrique and his team. They are one of the best teams for me at the moment in Europe,” said Monaco’s Austrian coach, Adi Huetter.
“For me they are also a candidate to win the Champions League. PSG with their quality especially up front can be a threat for every team.”
Beaten 4-2 at home by PSG in December and 1-0 when the sides met in Doha in the French Champions Trophy in early January, Monaco should have been ahead here inside five minutes.
Maghnes Akliouche set up Takumi Minamino for a great chance inside the box, but the Japanese international shot straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, and instead PSG went in front a minute later.
Vitinha’s free-kick from wide on the right went around the wall and caught out goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki as it sneaked in at the near post.
Monaco were quickly level. Soungoutou Magassa played a one-two with Breel Embolo before setting up Zakaria to fire in off the upright.
Bradley Barcola then had a goal disallowed for PSG as the first half ended all square, but the home side were back ahead on 54 minutes.
Kvaratskhelia controlled a ball into the box from Barcola and produced a superb second touch to take out Christian Mawissa before finishing emphatically.
Dembele, scorer of a hat-trick in each of his last two games, then took centre stage, as he played a quick exchange of passes with Desire Doue before firing in to make it 3-1 before the hour.
The France winger got his second of the night in the 90th minute with a tap-in after great work down the left by Nuno Mendes.
Facing this PSG side next is an ominous prospect for Brest, who warmed up for their Champions League date with a 2-0 win at western rivals Nantes.
Ludovic Ajorque put them ahead early on and Pierre Lees-Melou made sure of the win at the death as Brest climbed provisionally up to seventh, above Lyon.
© 2025 AFP
