Sports Desk:

Gianluigi Donnarumma endured a frightening injury in PSG’s 4-2 victory over Monaco after Wilfried Singo’s high boot struck his face. Despite the setback, PSG extended their Ligue 1 lead, though their Champions League struggles remain concerning.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma suffered a concerning injury during PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco on December 19, after being struck in the face by Wilfried Singo’s cleats during a goal-scoring attempt. The incident occurred in the 17th minute when Singo, whose initial shot was blocked, attempted to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but inadvertently made contact with the Italian’s face.

The high boot left Donnarumma lying on the pitch in visible discomfort, prompting immediate medical attention. After a few tense moments, the PSG shot-stopper was able to stand and walk off the field but was replaced by Matvei Safonov for the remainder of the match. The challenge sparked debate as Singo was not shown a red card, which is typically the penalty for a high boot challenge. Despite this, PSG manager Luis Enrique refrained from criticising the referee’s decision post-match.

“The refereeing decisions? I can’t do anything, I couldn’t see the action, but when you see an action like that it’s always difficult,” Luis Enrique said in a post-match interview.

“The players don’t intend to hurt. It’s difficult to referee this kind of match, I’m not talking about the refereeing work,” he added.

PSG ultimately won the match 4-2 over Monaco. Ousmane Dembélé delivered an electrifying performance, netting a brace, while Gonçalo Ramos and Desire Douée each added a goal to seal the win. The victory extended PSG’s lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to 10 points, showcasing their domestic dominance under Luis Enrique.

However, despite their strong league performance, PSG continues to face challenges in the newly formatted Champions League. The Parisian side currently sits outside the qualification spots for the knockout stages with only two group-stage games left to play, raising concerns about their European campaign.

Monaco, on the other hand, remains in third place in Ligue 1, level on points with second-place Marseille, which has a game in hand. The loss was a setback for Monaco, but they remain firmly in the race for a Champions League spot.

The injury to Donnarumma adds to PSG’s growing list of concerns as they balance their Ligue 1 dominance with the pressure of advancing in Europe. The club will now await updates on Donnarumma’s condition as they prepare for a crucial phase in their season.