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PSG 'played as a tribute to the victims' says chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi

Paris Saint-Germain chairman and chief executive Nasser Al Khelaifi said his club's Ligue 1 match at Lorient was played in tribute to the victims of the terror attacks in the capital.

PSG won 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in their first game since the attacks on Nov. 13 in which 129 people were killed.

"First of all, I would like to say that I was very moved by the tragic events in Paris last week,'' Al Khelaifi told PSG's website.

"Tonight we played as a tribute to the victims of those terrorist attacks. Football must go on. We were here to show France's solidarity, that of Paris and the world.

"It was important to play. It wasn't easy, but life continues, everything can't stop here. The players, the coaching staff, everyone feels the same, everyone was affected by what happened. It was really, very difficult for us, especially for Paris."

The champions took another step towards a fourth consecutive title thanks to first-half goals from Hervin Ongenda and Blaise Matuidi.

Benjamin Moukandjo, the leading scorer in the division, pulled a goal back late on for Lorient, but it was too little, too late.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc praised his side's young players, with the likes of Presnel Kimpembe, Ongenda and Adrien Rabiot all involved on Saturday.

He said: "We have a a quality squad which allows us to perform well and keep winning. When people talk about Paris, we talk about the great stars, but there are also the youngsters.

"Today we started with Presnel, Hervin and Adrien. That is the proof that we can count on everyone, and that everyone can help the team stay on top.

"Obviously, you have to be a very good player to play for the Paris Saint-Germain first team."

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