Paris Saint-Germain secured a 4-2 victory over AS Monaco in a thrilling Ligue 1 match, despite losing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to a serious facial injury early in the game. Donnarumma was substituted after a collision with Monaco’s Wilfried Singo, who received no penalty for the incident. The match strengthened PSG’s lead at the top of the league, while concerns over Donnarumma’s condition were raised amid frustrations regarding officiating. The two teams are set to face each other again in January 2025.
PSG Triumphs Over AS Monaco Despite Injury Setback
In a thrilling encounter during the postponed 16th matchday of the French Ligue 1, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) clinched a 4-2 victory against their rivals AS Monaco. However, the aftermath of the match was overshadowed by a serious incident involving PSG’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who sustained a significant facial injury during the game.
Donnarumma’s Injury Raises Concerns
PSG’s triumph came at a cost, as Donnarumma had to be substituted just 22 minutes into the match due to a bleeding facial injury. Club officials described his condition as a ‘facial trauma with multiple wounds,’ and he is set to undergo further medical examinations. The injury occurred in the 18th minute when Donnarumma collided with Monaco defender Wilfried Singo, who inadvertently struck him in the face with his studs. Despite already being cautioned, Singo faced no repercussions for the incident, leading to Donnarumma being replaced by Matvey Safonov.
After the match, PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed his bewilderment at the referee’s decision. “What should I say about the referee’s decision? I couldn’t see the action during the game, but it’s always tough to officiate such situations,” he remarked. “The player had no intention of causing harm.” The players voiced their frustration more explicitly, with captain Marquinhos stating, “Players need to be protected, and not awarding a red card in such circumstances is tough.” Donnarumma received treatment on the field and left the stadium with a bandage on his cheek, later displaying a noticeable scar.
In the wake of this incident, PSG and AS Monaco will meet again on January 5, 2025, for the League Cup in Doha, Qatar, a match that was rescheduled from early January to mid-December. This upcoming clash promises to be another exciting chapter in their rivalry.
Despite the injury concerns, PSG’s victory bolstered their position at the top of the league, now leading AS Monaco and Marseille by ten points, although Olympique has a game in hand. The match showcased the resilience of the capital club, with Desiré Doué opening the scoring and Ousmane Dembélé netting two critical goals to seal the win.