Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain climbed to third in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 win over Toulouse on Friday, while champions Montpellier Herault continued their poor start to the season with a 3-1 defeat by promoted Stade de Reims.
Goals from Javier Pastore and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Paris Saint-Germain nine points from five games, three behind leaders Olympique Marseille, who travel to Nancy, France, today.
“We are starting to show how strong we are, but we know we can do even better,” PSG captain Christophe Jallet told the beIN SPORT television channel.
Photo: Reuters
Ibrahimovic, the league’s top scorer with five goals, shone again, two weeks after his double gave unbeaten PSG their first win of the season against Lille.
The Sweden striker almost put his team in front at the Parc des Princes, but he was denied by Toulouse keeper Ali Ahamada.
PSG eventually went ahead in the 38th minute when Pastore, who was superbly set up by Marco Verratti, lobbed Ahamada.
Argentine Pastore also played a part in the second goal by Ibrahimovic in the 69th minute as PSG warmed up in style for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev.
Montpellier, who make their Champions League debut against Arsenal on Tuesday, occupy 14th place in Ligue 1 after losing at Stade de Reims.
The visitors wasted two good chances to go in front before Diego put Stade de Reims ahead following a sweeping move in the 38th minute.
Montpellier equalized 10 minutes into the second half when Remy Cabella netted from close range after a fine one-two with Younes Belhanda.
The home team edged 2-1 ahead when Christopher Glombard dispossessed Henri Bedimo and beat keeper Geoffrey Jourdren.
Substitute Gaaetan Courtet sealed victory in the 86th minute as Stade de Reims rose to eighth spot.
Last year’s champions, LOSC Lille Metropole were to travel to promoted Troyes yesterday, while second-placed Olympique Lyonnais are to host Ajaccio today.
BUNDESLIGA
AP, FRANKFURT, Germany
Augsburg picked up their first point of the Bundesliga season by grinding out a dull 0-0 draw with Wolfsburg at home on Friday.
Wolfsburg’s expensively assembled side, coming off a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Hannover, had one good chance against a team in its second season in the league.
Substitute Bas Dost headed across the goal in the 72nd minute and Thomas Kahlenberg nodded the ball goalward at the far post — only for keeper Mohamed Amsif to clear with his left knee.
Wolfsburg have four points after three matches.
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