Reims Hold PSG in Ligue 1 Opener

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brace as defending champions Paris St. Germain played out a 2-2 draw at Reims in the opening match of the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season.

The Swedish striker opened the scoring after seven minutes in emphatic manner, only to miss a penalty and an open goal opportunity within 12 minutes of his goal.

The misses would be punished as Reims turned the game around with two goals from Prince Oniangue in the 22nd minute and Antoine Devaux just after the half-hour mark to lead 2-1 by the half-time break.

The match was proving difficult for PSG against a team it beat 3-0 twice last season, but a second goal by Zlatan just after the hour mark salvaged a point and spared the Parisian’s blushes.

The result maintained PSG’s record of failing to get a win in its opening league match for a fourth successive season as it attempts to win the league title for a third straight season.

Meanwhile, last season’s runners-up AS Monaco will kick off its campaign at home to Lorient on Sunday while Vincent Enyeama’s Lille -which finished third last season – will host newly promoted Metz on Saturday.

Other matches on the opening weekend of Ligue 1 include Marcelo Bielsa’s Olympique Marseille paying Bastia a visit on Saturday, 2012 champions Montpellier hosting Bordeaux and St. Etienne visting French Cup holders Guingamp also on Saturday.