Heavy Monaco loss to PSG shows the challenge ahead for developing

PARIS — Folarin Balogun ended his goal drought with AS Monaco at four games in a 5-2 defeat away at Paris Saint-Germain on Friday in Ligue 1’s big clash of the round. The USMNT striker was unable to prevent the principality side from allowing the French champions to lead twice and pull away with the draw a bridge too far after Takumi Minamino had equalized for the visitors.

Goncalo Ramos and Kylian Mbappe scored either side of the Japan international’s first half leveler with the Portuguese and Minamino’s goals aided by major goalkeeping errors. Balogun was not to benefit from one of Donnarumma’s misplaced passes, although he was unlucky himself that the Italian goalkeeper was saved by the linesman’s flag early on to deny Vanderson’s follow-up.

Ousmane Dembele’s stunning first goal since joining PSG from Barcelona this past summer, a sumptuous Vitinha strike and Randal Kolo Muani’s late effort put paid to Monaco’s hopes of a result at Parc des Princes. However, Balogun was alive to a Minamino assist to pull one back for Les Monegasques to halve the deficit at 4-2 just when it looked as if the away side were out of it.

The American’s composed finish, despite a largely frustrating game will…