If it gained momentum over the minutes, carried by a still impressive Abdukodir Khusanov, RC Lens fell without merit against PSG (1-1, 3-4 tab), this Sunday evening. From 4 to 7, discover our scores after this 32nd final of the Coupe de France.
The satisfactions
We hardly thought he was capable of doing better than his explosive start to the season, but that was to forget thatAbdukodir Khusanov (7) had not yet scored in the RC Lens jersey. If the goal was awarded to a M'Bala Nzola (see above) who only diverted his powerful shot and he will have to wait a little longer, he will be remembered as the one who gave the advantage to the Sang et Or and makes Bollaert dream (1-1, 66′). For the rest, the right central defender exuded the same serenity and the same authority, to the point of opening the arcade in an impressive duel with Gonçalo Ramos. The Uzbek notably excelled in coverage (6′, 37′) and was impeccable. Unlike his friends Kevin Danso (5), often imperial but at fault on the Parisian goal, and Facundo Medina (4), too often found wanting by Lee or Dembélé.
Aligned once again a notch higher than usual, this time being almost constantly at the height of M'Bala Nzola (see below), Angelo Fulgini (6) was the most dangerous Lens offensive player. If he sometimes sinned in his choices near the surface (38′, 48′), he was in the majority of good shots from RC Lens, only slowed down by a story of centimeters, A bit short to take the center from Nzola (19′), his two magnificently curled shots came close to the amount of a Matvey Safonov beaten each time (54′, 56′). Sometimes lonely in pressing and linking RC Lens in placed attack, the attacking midfielder again scored points.
They blew hot and cold
It’s difficult to create a more contrasting premiere. Sometimes, Hervé Koffi (5) made improbable errors, like this poorly caught ball on an almost innocuous outing (17′) or this restart landed… in the head of Kevin Danso and very close to crossing his own goal line (86′). Other times, he was decisive on his line (5 saves) or in his exits (63′, 86′), despite a kicking game that could be improved (35′, 87′). He also suffers a little from the comparison with Matvey Safonov, decisive during the penalty shootout when the Burkinabè did not reject any of the – very good – Parisian attempts.
If he is not the author of the worst shot on goal of the evening (see below), M'Bala Love (5) nonetheless failed in his attempt. Enough to bitterly conclude a performance in his image, imperfect but voluntary and full of influence. Scorer despite himself (1-0, 66′) by involuntarily diverting Khusanov's missile at point blank range, the Angolan above all managed to show himself while having been quite alone. His physical duel with Willian Pacho was a real match within the match and if he still lacked technical accuracy (1′, 10′, 48′), his volume of play and his relevance with his back to goal (12′, 21 ′, 49′, 90+3′) will sometimes lead to interesting situations.
The disappointments
Very discreet on its left side, Deiver Machado (4) will have taken too little advantage of the return of the three-way defense and, at the same time, of his own in the starting eleven to show himself. With the exception of good pressing (26′), an interesting cross-shot (49′) and a nice defensive move (53′), the Colombian hardly had any impact on the match. His clearance of the head in the axis could have had more serious consequences (22′), just like his defensive limits against an Ousmane Dembélé who made him suffer (45′, 88′) which exposed Facundo Medina not always reassuring either.
No doubt he dreamed of a little better to have a better end of year celebration. Instead, Andy Diouf (4) will end 2024 with the weight of a certain responsibility in the elimination of RC Lens. By giving too many indications to Matvey Safonov and misplacing his shot, the Lens midfielder missed his shot on goal and condemned the last Artesian hopes. Previously, he had alternated the good and the less good, with interesting projections but a certain technical waste and limited defensive slaughter. Above all, his performance will undoubtedly remain tainted by this last regrettable impression left at the end of the artesian night.
Enzo PAILOT
Match notes:
Coffee (5) – Khusanov (7), Danso (5), Medina (4), Frankowski (5), Thomasson (5), El Aynaoui (5), Diouf (4), Machado (4), Road (5), Fulgini (6)
Photo credits: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport
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