Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa. (Photo : Getty Images)
Four straight French top flight champions Paris Saint-Germain (1-0-0, 3 points) will continue to try to maintain their post-Zlatan Ibrahimović dominance against newly-promoted team FC Metz (1-0-0, 3 points) in a 2016-2017 Ligue 1 season match at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, August 21.
Les Parisiens lost Ibrahimović, the league's top goalscorer last term, this summer in a free transfer to English Premier League side Manchester United, but they still managed to pull off a 1-0 opening day victory over SC Bastia last Friday, as per SkySports.
Defender Layvin Kurzawa scored the lone goal of the match at the 73rd minute for new head coach Unai Emery, who came over from Sevilla to replace resigned manager Laurent Blanc last June.
The Red and Blue was still adjusting to life without Ibrahimović in the first half of their season-opener last week as they were held on to a goalless draw at the break by Bastia.
However, the capital city giants were able to find their form in the second half with Kurzawa's winner.
PSG had a terrific preseason, winning the North America leg of the 2016 International Champions Cup tournament, coming out undefeated in three games by beating Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Leicester City in lopsided games, 3-1, 3-1, and 4-0 respectively.
Meanwhile, Metz placed third in the Ligue 2 last season to come with Nancy and Dijon as the three promoted teams for this term.
Les Grenats pulled off a stunning 3-2 upset over perennial contenders Lille OSC at their home field of Stade Saint-Symphorien last Saturday to open their French top flight campaign on a bang, via ESPN.
Turkish striker Mevlut Erdinc led the team with a brace at the 56th and 76th minutes while midfielder Yann Jouffre completed the comeback win with a spot kick at the 88th.
Lille midfielder Rony Lopes also scored a double for Les Dogues, breaking the deadlock at the 35th and giving a 2-1 lead to his side at the 70th, but it was not enough as the Danes dropped their first game this season.
While head coach Philippe Hinschberger is certainly not pleased about his side's performance on defense, the three-goal haul is something that he would build upon moving forward.
The predicted result is a 2-0 rout for Paris Saint-Germain.
Paris Saint-Germain starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Trapp; Aurier, Luiz, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Motta, Rabiot; Moura, Pastore, di Maria; Arfa
Metz starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Didillon; Rivierez, Milan, Falette, Balliu; Doukoure, Cohade; Jouffre, Mollet, Nguette; Erdinc
