PSG have dismantled Bayer Leverkusen in impressive fashion with a flurry of goals (2-7) against a Bundesliga side reduced to 10. Willian Pacho, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha have scored for the visitors, who were also down to 10 players following Illia Zabarnyi’s first-half dismissal.

PSG’s Champions League title defense off to a flyer

When PSG discovered their rather arduous Champions League fixtures for their title defense, there were fears that a depleted and exhausted squad, on the back of the Club World Cup, would struggle against proven European sides. So far, Les Parisiens have emphatically alleviated those fears. In Ligue 1, PSG have hit a slump with one win in their last four games, but in the Champions League, Luis Enrique’s squad is relentless and his players are showing the swagger and confidence worthy of champions.

Last year, at this stage of the Champions League season, PSG only boasted four points and two goals scored. Now, they have clinched all nine points at stake and have already hit double-figures in goals after previously dispatching Atalanta Bergamo (4-0) and FC Barcelona (2-1). They are joint top of the Champions League, and deservedly too.

Désiré Doué finds his magic back

With Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé back on the bench and the versatile Senny Mayulu poised to start after convincing spells up front, the former Stade Rennais Academy graduate was expected to give a hand deeper on the pitch alongside Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery. In the end, Doué was tasked to roam as a false nine.

Unintentionally, Doué made matters even more difficult for Bayer Leverkusen when Robert Andrich needlessly elbowed him in the face, earning a red card in the process. The 20-year-old was quickly back on his feet and showed great skill to find Mark Flekken’s bottom left corner not once but twice before half-time. Doué’s return to form after a hamstring injury is excellent news for PSG. With a three-goal lead at half-time, the France international bowed out as Luis Enrique replaced him by Lucas Hernandez to compensate for Illia Zabarnyi’s red card.

Illia Zabarnyi’s rough patch hits a new low

The former Bournemouth centre-back has had a hard time on Friday when dealing with RC Strasbourg’s in-form centre-forward Joaquin Panichelli. The Argentine notably outleapt the Ukrainian to score the first of his two goals against the Champions League winners. With Marquinhos building his way back into fitness, Zabarnyi was given the nod by Luis Enrique, but he put in his worst-ever performance since his €65m move.

The Ukrainian centre-back conceded a penalty for handball after falling to the floor under pressure from Claudio Echeverri. Fortunately, Alex Grimaldo hit Lucas Chevalier’s left post. But Zabarnyi didn’t learn from his mistake. When PSG could not deal with a long ball against their 10-man opponents, he clattered into Christian Kofane in Chevalier’s box and Jesus Gil Manzano had no choice but to give Zabarnyi his marching orders. The Ukrainian’s evening was over, and he’ll miss Les Parisiens‘ blockbuster Champions League Matchday 4 against Bayern Munich.