PSG outclass AC Milan to get back on track

FE Team | Published: October 26, 2023 23:45:40

Paris Saint-Germain's forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Champions League Group F match against AC Milan at the Parc de Princes in Paris on Wednesday — AFP

PARIS, Oct 26 (AP): Star striker Kylian Mbappé scored again and 17-year-old midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery caught the eye with two assists as Paris Saint-Germain beat a lackluster AC Milan 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Mbappé opened the scoring late in the first half following Zaïre-Emery's fine run and pass. After Mbappé's France teammate Randal Kolo Muani made it 2-0 early in the second period, Zaïre-Emery capped an excellent performance by setting up South Korea winger Lee Kang-in near the end.
It was Lee's first for the club and a welcome win for PSG after it was routed 4-1 at Newcastle in the previous round, while seven-time champion Milan still has not won or scored in Group F.
"Of course it was important to bounce back from the defeat at Newcastle," said Zaïre-Emery, who made several driving runs during the match.
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PSG leads with six points from three matches and Milan is last. In other group game, Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund.
Mbappé rifled a 32nd-minute shot past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan to give PSG the lead. Maignan was beaten again in the 53rd, when Kolo Muani tapped into an empty net after Maignan saved France winger Ousmane Dembélé's low shot following a short corner. Milan coach Stefano Pioli picked a starting lineup without a single Italian player in it. According to OPTA statisticians, it was the first time in Milan's history that it had done so for a European game.
Midway through the first half, a spectator ran onto the field and hugged Mbappé, who seemed unfazed. The intruder evaded several security officials before getting escorted off.
Winger Rafael Leao shot just wide from outside the penalty area in the 26th and Mbappé did the same a few minutes later.