#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma
PSG’s high-profile keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has had to vie with Keylor Navas for minutes under the crossbar. Last night, he produced a sure-footed performance for PSG, which could be enough to keep Navas at bay for a couple of matches.
After being saved by the post in the second minute, Donnarumma made it a point to be more assertive inside the box. Over the course of the 90, the Italian made three saves, with one of them coming inside the box, and claimed the ball twice.
His distribution was neat as well, with five of his long-balls reaching their intended destinations.
#2 Lionel Messi
PSG’s only Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has emerged as the club’s leading goalscorer in the Champions League this season. Scoring five goals in as many appearances, Messi has defined efficiency for PSG in Europe but has been rather ordinary in the French top-flight.
Last night, the Argentine once again failed to hit the mark, but still ended up walking away as one of the team’s best players.
In typical fashion, Messi spent the opening few minutes reading the tempo of the game and only came into it after the 30-minute mark. His biggest contribution came in the 45th minute when he intercepted a pass from Youssouf Fofana, drove forward, and set up Mbappe on the left.
Messi came close to scoring himself in the second half, but struck it narrowly wide of Monaco’s goal.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene during the 2016-17 campaign. Having risen through Monaco’s youth system, Mbappe helped his side take the fight to PSG that season and eventually nick the Ligue 1 title.
He also guided his side deep into the UEFA Champions League and was only bested by Juventus in the semi-finals.
Mbappe is still loved dearly in that part of France, even though he regularly helps their rivals, PSG, to register important wins every other day. On Sunday, Mbappe produced another important performance for PSG, scoring twice against his former employers in Paris.
The Frenchman’s first strike came from the spot in the 12th minute after Angel Di Maria drew a foul from Djibril Sidibe inside the box. Mbappe kept his penalty low and to the left, not allowing Monaco goalkeeper Radosław Majecki to react.
His second goal of the night came just before the half-interval, courtesy of a moment of genius from Lionel Messi. Mbappe cut in, struck the ball with his right foot and found the far corner comfortably to score his 100th Ligue 1 goal for PSG.