Staff Reporter.
@PSG
Paris St-Germain recovered from a goal down to open their Ligue 1 campaign with victory at newly-promoted Troyes.
PSG, who are in talks with Lionel Messi following his departure from Barcelona, fell behind early after Oualid El Hajjam’s header.
But goals from Achraf Hakimi and Mauro Icardi ensured Mauricio Pochettino’s side led at half-time.
Kylann Mbappe twice came close in the second half with one of his shots cleared of the line and the other flying over the bar before PSG were forced to hang on in the closing stages.
Navas, who kept out three efforts from Rinaud Ripart, denied Troyes a share of the spoils in stoppage time as he palmed away the striker’s glancing header from close range with PSG on the back foot in the last 15 minutes.
PSG are looking to reclaim the title after finishing second to Lille last season.
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum also featured in the win, but fellow summer signings Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos were absent.
“There have been lots of rumours. Lots of things are being said,” said manager Mauricio Pochettino when asked about Messi. “I just hope we will be strong enough to try to win every competition we are involved in.”
“His name is associated with different clubs, there are plenty of rumours,” Pochettino said. “We will see what happens in the coming days. The players have stayed focused. We did not start the game well and we gave away too many chances for my liking.
“But we have to give Troyes credit for making it difficult for us, they showed a lot of energy. We would have liked to win 5-0 but we’ll take what we achieved.”