Quiet victory for Paris Saint-Germain this Saturday against RC Lens (1-0). Without really straining their talent, the Parisians won before hosting Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, and took a 6-point lead over AS Monaco in Ligue 1. The scores!
This is what we call a mastered match. This Saturday against RC Lens, Paris Saint-Germain won fairly quietly (1-0) before hosting Atlético Madrid this Wednesday in the Champions League.
A goal very early in the match from Ousmane Dembélé on a royal service from Bradley Barcola, then an accumulation of plays which went against the Sang et Or, and a victory ultimately deserved for these Parisians, more leaders than ever of Ligue 1.
Because following AS Monaco's defeat yesterday against Angers (0-1), PSG is now 6 points ahead of its runner-up from Monaco. An accounting report which comes at the best time, especially for the red and blue heads who are now looking towards the European Cup and a huge test against the Colchoneros of Antoine Griezmann.
A fairly quiet parade in the 21st on a curl from Zaroury. Then an authoritarian save on a header from Machado (31st). Surprise starter this Saturday, Safonov had a calm match in which he was not asked too much. However, there is little chance of seeing him continue in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Another match brimming with energy and generosity for the Parisian full-back. Hakimi was very prominent, particularly offensively. He could have given himself an assist at the start of the match. After moving Danso in the duel, he found Fabian Ruiz in the area whose shot was stopped by Samba. The former Real Madrid player provokes Khusanov's red card on the hour mark.
Overall quiet match for the captain of the evening. N'Zola, the opposing striker, fought a battle with Pacho while the Brazilian simply lined up and carefully monitored the progress of the match.
This Saturday, Pacho had a client in front of him in the person of N'Zola. The massive Lensois attacker often challenged the Parisian to a duel, but the latter resisted. Very strong in the shoulder but also to anticipate his opponent's dribbles, Pacho was in sight.
We will also highlight this rather comical action, at the half-hour mark. The central defender finds himself as number 10 to initiate a dangerous counterattack from PSG. But he makes a mistake and plays on the right when he had two free solutions on the left. A sequence that will have pleased the Parc des Princes.
Less and less restricted offensively, even if Nuno Mendes did not fully exploit his attacking qualities again this evening. Some interesting climbs and splits, particularly in the first period.
Before the break, he also scored a decisive return on a counterattack from Lensois, who were heading towards goal.
Large volume of Portuguese at the end of the afternoon. Initially aligned at the base of the midfield trio, Vitinha did not hesitate to dezone. Between splits behind Hakimi's back, coverage from his wingers and fairly high projections, number 17 put in a great performance.
Perhaps Fabian Ruiz's best match this season at PSG. In the left axis of the Parisian midfielder, the Spaniard shined. If we often criticized his lack of rhythm and intensity, today he was at the level of his teammates, while putting his technical quality at the service of the collective. Sleek deviations, oriented controls but also daring projections and attempts… A full and very positive match from a player from whom we obviously expect a lot.
Slightly worse after returning from the locker room.
Replaced in the 70th by Warren Zaire-Emery.
Good activity from the midfield. Lots of aggressiveness when losing, as is often the case, but also technical ease and silky combined play in the opposing camp.
Neves did not hesitate to reverse his position with Vitinha during the course of the meeting, in order to take responsibility for the first restart and to create uncertainty and doubt in the minds of Lens.
Scorer in the 3rd minute on a serve to the far post from Bradley Barcola, the Frenchman had a very different position from that against OM last Sunday. This Saturday, Dembélé occupied the right wing as he does so often.
He scared us at the end of the first half after suffering a painful crutch but he finally regained his place. Some good and some less good with the ball, especially in ball exits against the Lensois pressing where his deviations were sometimes intercepted too easily by the opponent.
Released in the 60th, replaced by Kang-In Lee.
Mobile, clean and intelligent, but also a lack of efficiency in the last gesture like these two dangerous attempts in the 12th and 21st, missed. His profile of false number 9 corresponds to what Luis Enrique has in mind but we cannot ignore the face to face which he does not conclude.
His match this evening remains very satisfactory, both in his play with and without the ball and in his connection with his partners.
Replaced in the 70th minute by Désiré Doué.
His first acceleration hit the mark in the 3rd minute. Barcola offers a decisive pass on a perfect cross towards Ousmane Dembélé. His quality of speed was key to allowing Paris to quickly emerge from the Lensois pressing and initiate dangerous offensive transitions.
In the 66th minute, he was able to offer himself another decisive pass but his cross towards Asensio was cut off by Malang Sarr at the last minute. Five minutes later, his curler heads towards the top corner but Samba works.
