PSG 2-1 Juventus: What have we learned as Kylian Mbappe hosts Champions League clinic in Paris?

In what was a heavyweight showdown on Tuesday night, PSG opened their Champions League adventure with a 2-1 win over Juventus in the French capital.

While the Parisians could have faced a tough opening test at the Parc des Princes here, Kylian Mbappe's empathetic first-half brace wrapped up an eye-catching victory for the reigning Ligue 1 champions.< /p>

Although second-half substitute Weston McKennie were able to halve the lead just eight minutes into the restart, it's hard to argue that Christophe Galtier's side weren't a worthy winner in his first Group H game.

While they are now firmly aiming to make history in Paris this season, what did we learn from Tuesday's Champions League showdown?

Mbappe is the man

While there has been a lot of speculation in recent months regarding the off-pitch relationship between PSG's iconic attacking trio, these potential issues don't seem to have impacted their on-pitch chemistry.

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With Mbappe opening the scoring after just five minutes with a sublime volley after Neymar's clever kick, the France international only underlined his status as a true European superstar.

Giving PSG a 2-0 lead before the break after producing another moment of brilliance midway through the first half, Mbappe finds himself in the midst of another remarkable purple smudge.

Although it might have seemed almost certain that the 23-year-old would make the blockbuster move to Real Madrid this summer, the World Cup winner opened the 2022/23 campaign with a flurry.

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Ahead of Tuesday's showdown at the Parc des Princes by scoring another brace in PSG's 3-0 draw away to Nantes last weekend, Mbappe has now netted nine goals in just his first six appearances.

PSG are a force to be reckoned with

While reigning Premier League champions Manchester City may have opened their own Champions League run with a resounding 4-0 win at Sevilla, PSG also find themselves seen as the first choice by many .

Failing to make it past the knockout stages last season after suffering a 3-2 aggregate loss to eventual winners Real Madrid, Galtier knows his side need to mount a real charge this time around.

Collecting 16 points in his first six Ligue 1 appearances and quickly gaining a fearsome reputation for his free goals in the final third, the former Nice boss has received plenty of praise.

With the attacking trio of Mbappe, Neymar and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who have already netted 17 domestic goals between them, the Parisians have proven they are a force to be reckoned with count.

Sharing Group H with Juve, Benfica and Israeli giants Maccabi Haifa, PSG should look to fight their way to the knockout stage without suffering too much drama.

Pressure mounts on Allegri

While Juventus may have tried to make a second-half comeback in Paris after McKennie's header halved the deficit eight minutes into the restart, it was another disappointing night for the Old Lady.

Although the Italian heavyweights managed to crack the top four last season, there seems to be increasing pressure on Massimiliano Allegri's shoulders.

Although some key first-team players missed out on their trip to the Parc des Princes here, some fans around Turin grew frustrated with the 55-year-old's approach.

Making the trip to France on Tuesday night after yet another 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, Juve are struggling to find their best speed since opening the 2022/23 campaign.

In fact, as well as having to settle for just one point in three of their previous four Serie A appearances, their midweek defeat here also means the former champions Italy have only won only one of their last five meetings in all competitions.< /p>

Match report:

PSG: Donnarumma, Ramos, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha, Mendes, Messi, Neymar, Mbappé

Subs: Mukiele, Sanches, Danilo, Soler

Juventus: Perin, Nascimento, Bonucci, Danilo, Cuadrado, Rabiot, Paredes, Miretti, Kostic, Vlahovic, Milik

Subs: Kean, McKennie, De Sciglio, Locatelli

Goals: PSG: Mbappé (5′, 22′) – Juventus: McKennie (53′)

Yellow cards: PSG: Verratti, Ramos – Juventus: Danilo, Nascimento, Miretti

Red cards: N/A

Referee: Anthony Taylor