PSG blast a warning to Hoops
PSG’s unstoppable march towards the French title continued as Edinson Cavani’s double inspired them to a 4-1 home win against Nantes.
Unai Emery’s star- studded outf it warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Celtic by blowing away Claudio Ranieri’s side.
Cavani netted either side of half-time while Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria also scored to put the Paris giants on 35 points from 13 games, six ahead of second-placed Monaco.
Nantes, who are fifth on 23 points, scored through Prejuce Nakoulma.
Ranieri’s men got off to a solid start but cracked before half-time.
Cavani opened the scoring with a clinical finish from inside the box after being perfectly set up by Pastore.
It was the Uruguay striker’s 14th goal from 13 games in the league, the best tal ly in the French championship since Dick van Dijk with Nice in the 1972-73 season.
Di Maria doubled the advantage three minutes later with a curled cross that nobody could connect with and ended up in the back of the net.
Nakoulma reduced the arrears on the hour from close range but Nantes’ fightback was short lived.
Five minutes later, Pastore restored a two-goal advantage for Emery’s side with a powerful shot.
Cavani put the game to bed 11 minutes from time, poking the ball home from a packed goal-mouth.
Celtic’s other group rivals Bayern Munich warmed up for Anderlecht by dumping Augsburg 3- 0 with Robert Lewandowski bagging a double.
Bayern extended their unbeaten start under Jupp Heynckes with Arturo Vidal also on target.
In Spain, Barcelona striker Luis Suarez ended his drought with two goals as his side beat Leganes 3- 0 to remain top of La Liga.
The ex-Liverpool forward gave the Catalans an early lead when he ended his goalless streak – which had run to 479 minutes in all competitions.
A late goal from Paulinho, with an assist by Lionel Messi, ensured their unbeaten run extended to 12 games.
In Italy Diego Perotti got the opener from the penalty spot as Roma beat Lazio 2-1. Radja Nainggolan was also on target with Ciro Immobile pulling one back with a penalty of his own.