Football: PSG flies to the top of Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain took a six-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 by dominating Lens (1-0), while continuing to lack offensive efficiency. The score could have been much larger, as the reigning champion missed in front of Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba, author of seven saves.

After the opening score (4th), the Parisians cruelly lacked realism to achieve domination in all sectors of the game, even after the exclusion of Lensois Khusanov (59th). Despite everything, Luis Enrique’s players are now six steps ahead of Monaco, 2nd and defeated in Angers (1-0) on Friday evening.

From the start of the match, Will Still’s players were completely stifled by the high pressure and aggressiveness of the Parisians, who kept the ball and increased the attacks. A successful performance right up to the edge of the Lens area. Leggy and twirling on his left side, Bradley Barcola served Ousmane Dembélé perfectly to open the scoring, alone at the far post (4th). The one who seemed to be hit in the thigh a few moments before returning to the field scored his fifth goal of the season.

From its second offensive, Paris took the lead, suggesting a card against the Sang et Or. The opposite ultimately happened, with a shower of missed opportunities: Ruiz (15th, 30th), Dembélé (15th), Barcola (23rd, 45+4th, 72nd), Hakimi (19th, 41st), Asensio (35th, 42nd, 43rd), Doué (76th, 90+3), Lee (67th). After the demonstration against OM at the Vélodrome (0-3), where the Parisians controlled everything, the counter remained stuck on Saturday afternoon at just one achievement.

“Thank you Paris. One more victory, against less than nothing”, did not forget to display the Ultras of the Auteuil stand, which will be closed for the next match because of homophobic chants sung against the Marseillais two weeks ago. Before kick-off, the announcer also reminded that discriminatory chants were prohibited, under the whistles of the CUP (Collectif ultras Paris).

On the other side, the 1000 Lensois supporters brandished several black and white posters targeting Qatar, owner of PSG: “Qatar is killing French Football” and “Bein Sport is killing Ligue 2”.

On the field, after a very complicated first period, the Sang et Or were more consistent after half-time (marked by Lens disputes over the refereeing), despite the exclusion of Abdukodir Khusanov for a tackle on Achraf Hakimi’s tibia. Because throughout the second act, Paris rested and played very calmly, apart from a Nice strike from Barcola released by Brice Samba (72nd).

In Ligue 1, where everything is easier for Paris, this lack of efficiency poses almost no problem for it. But on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid during the 4th day of the Champions League, this recurring problem will undoubtedly be more damaging for PSG who must collect points.

The European duel between Stade Brestois and OGC Nice turned in favor of the visitors (0-1), allowing the Azuréens to settle in the upper part of the ranking. With 16 points, Nice is provisionally 5th, while Brest remains 10th with 13 points.

The Bretons were however well back in the match. Without their captain Brendan Chardonnet and their Valais midfielder Edimilson Fernandes, left on the bench, but with a typical eleven for the rest, they made a big start. Carried by the pressing of their trio in midfield, they were dangerous first. Pierre Lees-Melou even had the opportunity to make this successful start to the match but the sentry did not press his right foot flat enough at the entrance to the area and Bulka was able to divert to his left (5th) .

Nice’s domination increased over the minutes and was rewarded before the break: Ali Abdi curled a magnificent cross at ground level taken by former Lausanne player Evann Guessand at the far post, too easily left free (0-1 , 42nd).

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