PSG 0-2 Monaco: Mauricio Pochettino’s side come crashing down after Barcelona heroics

Paris Saint-Germain were flat and uninspiring as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes and lost ground on Ligue 1 pace-setters Lille.

On a night which was expected to see the champions build on their midweek performance and win at Barcelona, they looked a completely different team, serving up a toothless display.

Monaco headed to Paris in form and grabbed an early lead when Sofiane Diop headed home from close range after great work by Ruben Aguilar.

Rather than snapping PSG into focus, going behind emboldened the visitors' defensive structure and overall it was a very laboured display from Mauricio Pochettino's men.

Kylian Mbappe, chief tormentor of the Catalan giants a few days ago, cut a frustrated figure throughout the first half.

With Marco Verratti only fit enough for the bench, PSG's midfield lacked the guile and energy to drive them forward. Idrissa Gueye did strike wide from distance, but Benjamin Lecomte had it covered.

Pochettino reacted instantly, calling on Rafinha and Verratti, and PSG soon asserted themselves a little more. Moise Kean should have tested Lecomte with a header after a byline cross from Mbappe.

Just past the hour, Monaco should have grabbed a second but Kevin Volland headed wide with the goal gaping after Caio Henrique's cushioned cross.

Kean tried to force the issue with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Monaco held strong as PSG struggled to build any momentum despite chasing the game.

Brilliant in Barcelona, captivating at Camp Nou, but hopeless at home. The contrast could hardly have been greater from PSG's Champions League exploits. Verratti not starting was a huge blow, but they never truly got going even when he came on, despite initial flourishes. Icardi was anonymous and Mbappe just looked lost. It is a real bump down to earth for their star-studded squad, and proof that relying on individuals doesn't work against a cohesive, well-drilled unit.

Monaco will return to the Principality with fresh impetus in their own Ligue 1 push after a sixth straight away win. Their awful record against PSG (two wins in 11 meetings) dominated the build up, but they stood tall and oozed confidence. Nobody embodied that quite like Maripan. who marshalled the back line and finished like a striker for his fifth goal of the season.

PSG: Navas 5, Kurzawa 5, Kimpembe 5, Marquinhos 5, Florenzi 5, Paredes 5, Herrera 4, Gueye 5, Mbappe 4, Kean 5, Icardi 5 Substitutes: Verratti 5, Rafinha 4, Draxler 4, Danilo 4

Monaco: Lecomte 7, Disasi 7, Maripan 9, Badiashile 7, Henrique 8, Aguilar 8, Fofana 7, Tchouameni 7, Diop 8, Volland 7, Ben Yedder 7 Substitutes: Jovetic 6, Sidibe 6, Golovin 6, Ballo-Toure n/a

6' - GOAL! PSG 0-1 Monaco (Diop): Diop heads home from close range after Aguilar nods a cross into the area. Great start.

51' - GOAL! PSG 0-2 Monaco (Maripan): Maripan makes it two for Monaco with a superb finish inside the area.

62' - CHANCE! How did Volland miss? Open goal and he can't convert after Henrique's knock back across the face.