PSG overthrows Lens but does not reassure itself before City

RC Lens : 1
Paris Saint-Germain: 2

Initially harmless, led at the break, Paris overthrew Lens, Saturday at the Bollaert stadium, during the 18^e day of Ligue 1, without seducing four days before a crucial meeting for its European future against Manchester City.

Thanks to French international striker Bradley Barcola, passer then decisive scorer, Paris (46 points) at least temporarily regains a ten-point lead at the top of the championship, ahead of Marseille, which plays Sunday against Strasbourg.

With this fourth consecutive success in Ligue 1, Luis Enrique's team maintains a positive dynamic, three days after its painful victory in the Coupe de France against Espaly (2-4).

Concern before City

But the Parisians will have to do a lot more on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes against City. In Lens, they had a hard time winning, missing the opportunity to deliver a performance on which to rely for this clash against the Citizens, whom they will have to beat to enter the first twenty-four qualifying places for the continuation of C1.

Without captain Marquinhos, hampered in his adductor muscles, the main offensive detonator Ousmane Dembélé, ill, or defender Achraf Hakimi, spared, the Parisians were too apathetic. They lacked inspiration in a game system that was not always clear.

Opposite, Lens was able to defend as a team, despite the absence of its central hinge composed of Abdukodir Khusanov, leaving for City, and Kevin Danso, suspended. In attack, the Artois club managed to steal their opponent, particularly from a corner.

It was in this phase of play that Will Still's players managed to open the scoring, when Mbala Nzola, omnipresent throughout the match, saw the ball return to him at the far post to finish from close range at ground level, taking advantage of a worrying lack of defensive rigor from the visitors (1-0, 36^e). His association with former Niort player Goduine Koyalipou, recruit of the winter transfer window, sometimes hampered the Parisian rearguard with his power and speed.

Barcola sends a message to “Kvara”

As usual under the mandate of Luis Enrique, Paris had the ball (66% possession) during the first period, but as too often, they did not do much with it, except a strike from Fabian Ruiz (13^e) and another from Désiré Doué (20^e). Neither he nor Bradley Barcola managed to create on the wings during the first act.

But they woke up in the second period, perhaps pushed by the need to raise their level of play, so as not to lose their place to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, new Parisian recruit. Behind them, the entire Parisian eleven gained momentum, and Fabian Ruiz was able to equalize after a good cross from Barcola, very well found in depth by Lee Kang-in (1-1, 59^e).

Barcola, again, completed his team's comeback with a beautiful strong shot from the right under the bar at the end of the match (1-2, 86^e). PSG no longer trembled, Lens had missed its chance. Without merit, often attractive and close to victory on a shot from Jonathan Granit (81^e), brilliantly intercepted by Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lens did not hold out but remains in the fight for European qualification.

Half time: 1-0.
Referee: M. Pignard.
Buts : for Lens, Mr. Nzola (36^e) ; for Paris, F. Ruiz (59^e), B. Barcola (86^e).
Warnings: in Lens, D. Machado (45^e), A. Thomasson (61^e) ; to Paris, Vitinha (29^e), S. Mayulu (90^e).