Dominant but still unrealistic, PSG relied on the double from an inspired Ousmane Dembélé to win against Saint-Étienne (2-1), Sunday at the Parc des Princes. Luis Enrique’s men regain a seven-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and are building up confidence ahead of their European fixtures. The Greens, bold but too crumbly, remain 16th and barrage.
Yes, the results are positive for Paris Saint-Germain, who have a sixth success and are off to a good start to a crucial month of January, ten days before their duel against Manchester City. But this same assessment can be seen from another perspective. Despite very favorable statistics (25 shots to 8, 4.02 expected goals to 0.18), the leader left ASSE in the match until the end. For what ? Because apart from a flash from Ousmane Dembélé, the capital’s players have (almost) always missed the last gesture.
A lack of precision which could have been costly
Initially hampered by the height of the Greens’ pressing – as evidenced by this recovery of Lucas Stassin having allowed Zuriko Davitashvili to worry Gianluigi Donnarumma (6th) – the Parisians made the difference with their individual quality. After a 45-meter rush on the right side, Dembélé closed his left foot and deceived Gautier Larsonneur (1-0, 13th). Cruel for the valiant Stéphanois, still surprised with this penalty conceded by Léo Pétrot, with his hand, on a cross from Achraf Hakimi (22nd). Dembélé took charge of the penalty and took Larsonneur on the wrong foot, striking from the left (2-0, 23rd).
Although largely dominated in the second half, Eirik Horneland’s charges never stopped believing. And, on a free kick 20 meters away, in the center, Davitashvili took advantage of the strange placement of the Parisian wall to go around it and score (2-1, 64th), with a rebound just in front of Donnarumma, surprised on his right.
A goal which should have been anecdotal, as PSG had so many chances afterwards. But Nuno Mendes (70th), Warren Zaire-Emery (80th), Dembélé (90th) and Désiré Doué (90th+2) all found the clouds despite a privileged striking position. This (recurring) problem will have to be resolved before January 22, against Manchester City, in the Champions League. The round of 16 of the Coupe de France against the amateurs of Espaly, on Wednesday 15th, came at just the right time.
