Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Red Bull Salzburg: Mathieu Bodmer stunner seals dominant opening victory in Group F

Paris-Saint Germain were in scintillating form on Thursday night, outclassing Red Bull Salzburg 3-1 in their opening Group F match at the Parc de Princes.

A penalty by Nene, a clinical finish by Jeremy Menez and a goal of the season contender from Mathieu Bodmer was only part of the story for the French side, who could have easily doubled that tally in a one-sided encounter, though they will be disappointed with Ibrahim Sekagya’s late consolation goal.

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After early opportunities were spurned by Nene and Mevlut Erding, Salzburg had a rare chance when Franz Schiemer’s long rasping drive flashed just wide. PSG instantly countered through an enterprising run by Menez who found Erding in the area, but the Turk fired straight into the keeper’s arms from a guilt-edged position.

However, it was another counter-attack led by Menez which led to the opener for the home side on 35 minutes. The Frenchman broke with pace against the back-pedaling Salzberg defence, forcing Schiemer into an illegal body-check. The referee pointed to the spot with little hesitation, and Nene stepped up to confidently send Gustaffson the wrong way.

Five minutes later, Pastore carved his way brilliantly past three Salzburg defenders, only to see his low shot stopped by the outstretched leg of Gustaffson. The playmaker meandered his way into the box again seconds later, and was unlucky to not get a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Sekagya.

PSG were not to be denied a second, and got it a minute before half time with a simply outstanding goal. Pastore released Erding down the right flank, and the Turk’s long cross was volleyed brilliantly into the top corner by Bodmer from 20 yards out.

Antoine Kombouare’s men continued the cutthroat intensity of the opening period, and Pastore at the heart of a few beautiful counter-attacking moves, which led to good chances for Nene, Bodmer and Erding. Further opportunities for substitute Kevin Gameiro followed before PSG finally got their third, Menez capitalizing on a sloppy backpass from Jakob Jantscher to slot past the unfortunate Gustaffson.

With the tempo of the game diminished after the third goal, Salzburg managed to gain some relief in the 87th minute when Sekagya headed home Jantscher’s free kick as the PSG defence switched off. Despite some late endeavor by the visitors, Pastore almost added a fourth at the death, firing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

PSG now take an early lead in the Group F standings with three points, while Salzburg sink to last place.