Ranking PSG's 5 best players against Saint-Etienne | Ligue 1 2021-22

#3 Danilo Pereira

Danilo Pereira of Paris Saint-Germain

Danilo Pereira took some time to grow into the game. He was tasked with providing cover to his defence and also joining the attack quite regularly. Pereira was sloppy with the ball at his feet in the opening quarter of an hour and gifted Saint-Etienne their only goal of the night.

The ball was stolen from him right outside the area and Pereira gave his defenders no chance to intervene. But he seemed determined to make amends for his mistake and turned in a masterful box-to-box performance after PSG went behind.

He was impressive on both sides of the pitch and was eventually rewarded for his efforts. Pereira produced a towering header to put the Parisians 3-1 ahead seven minutes into the second half.

#2 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi in action (cred: Stadium Astro)

Lionel Messi might not be scoring many goals this season but his playmaking has been on another level since the turn of the year. Messi came close to scoring from a free-kick right before the half-hour mark but had his effort saved by Paul Bernardoni.

He delivered a spectacular through ball to Kylian Mbappe for PSG's opener. Messi picked out the Frenchman's run from 20 yards away and played an incisive pass which took several Saint-Etienne players out of the game all at once.

Messi then picked up his sixth assist in five games by setting up Mbappe for PSG's second goal of the night. The 34-year-old created six chances in the game and his vision and technical ability continue to be a class apart.

#1 Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has been in sublime form this season

Kylian Mbappe has been Paris Saint-Germain's best player this season. After a rather dull outing against Nantes, Mbappe was back to his destructive best against Saint-Etienne. His movement inside the final third has been excellent all season and last night was no different.

Mbappe made a darting run behind the opposition defence to claim a wonderful Lionel Messi pass before slotting it past Bernardoni for PSG's opener. He then produced a sublime finish two minutes into the second half to claim the lead for his side.

Five minutes later, Mbappe provided an incredible outside-of-the-boot cross for Danilo Pereira's goal. The Frenchman has now become the first player in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season to reach double figures for both goals and assists.

Mbappe has now scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in 24 Ligue 1 appearances this season.