Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan both made commanding starts to their Champions League campaigns on Tuesday night, sending strong signals of intent in the opening round of fixtures.
At the Parc des Princes, holders PSG began the defence of their European crown in ruthless fashion, brushing aside Atalanta 4-0. The reigning champions, who demolished Inter Milan 5-0 in May’s final, wasted little time asserting themselves against another Serie A opponent.
Captain Marquinhos struck inside three minutes, finishing Fabian Ruiz’s cutback with composure. The hosts created a flurry of chances, with Nuno Mendes, teenager Senny Mayulu, and Bradley Barcola all going close, while Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi pulled off several sharp saves.
Their dominance was rewarded again before the break as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia produced a dazzling solo run and finish to make it 2-0. Barcola then missed a penalty after Marquinhos was fouled, but Mendes extended the lead five minutes into the second half with a crisp near-post strike.
Substitute Gonçalo Ramos sealed the rout in stoppage time, pouncing on a defensive error to calmly slot home PSG’s fourth. Luis Enrique’s side will now face sterner challenges in October against Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen, before blockbuster home games with Bayern Munich and Tottenham.
Thuram Shines in Amsterdam
Meanwhile, Inter Milan showed no signs of a Champions League hangover from their humiliating defeat in last season’s final, defeating Ajax 2-0 away.
Marcus Thuram was the star of the night, heading in twice from Hakan Çalhanoğlu corners on either side of half-time. The Frenchman’s brace continued his blistering start to the season, with five goals already in just four appearances across competitions.
Inter manager Cristian Chivu, who succeeded Simone Inzaghi in the summer, kept faith with eight players from the side that started the Munich final and was rewarded with a dominant, disciplined performance.
Thuram had threatened even before his opener, flashing an effort wide and seeing a penalty overturned by VAR after a foul in the buildup. Ajax nearly changed the course of the game when Mika Godts spurned a golden chance, but Yann Sommer’s fine save kept Inter in control.
With Lautaro Martínez rested due to a back issue, Thuram stepped up as the focal point of the attack, ensuring Inter opened their group stage on a high. They next host Slavia Prague, while Ajax travel to Marseille.
