Paris Saint-Germain launched their UEFA Champions League title defence in dominant fashion with a 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes, extending their European unbeaten streak to 12 matches.
The two-time reigning champions pressed early, with Slovan Bratislava goalkeeper Dominik Takac denying Dro Fernández and Kenan Bajric blocking Fabian Ruiz’s effort. PSG opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ousmane Dembélé reacted quickly to turn in the rebound after Nuno Mendes struck the post. Moments later, after Slovan lost Bajrić to injury, Dembélé grabbed his second by heading home following a deflected shot. Dembélé then turned provider on the half-hour mark, whipping in a cross for Ferran Torres to tap in PSG’s third.
Torres waste no time expanding the lead after the break, picking out the top corner just 65 seconds into the second half off a pass from Maghnes Akliouche. The Spaniard completed his hat-trick shortly after by turning in Dembélé’s corner kick.
Slovan Bratislava got on the scoresheet through Suleiman Camara, who powered past Illia Zabarnyi to finish into the far corner. Fabian Ruiz capped off the scoring late in the half, securing a comfortable response to PSG’s winless domestic start as Luis Enrique’s side begins their bid to become only the fifth team to win three consecutive European Cup/UCL titles. Despite the heavy scoreline, Slovan Bratislava boss Yaya Touré made history on the night as the first African manager to take charge of a match in the Champions League proper.
