Match: Lens/PSG (1-2), individual performances

Donnarumma: The Parisian goalkeeper signed another incomplete match, with very marked ups and downs. At the low level, we must necessarily note this too soft hand on the Lensois goal, then much worse on the 2-0 goal refused to Nzola, and some aerial escapades not really controlled. But when the match was decided, Donnarumma was able to respond with two great saves at the end of the game. At 0-0, he also showed a certain presence in his penalty area as danger gradually approached.

Zaire-Emery: For his 100th with the first team, the 18-year-old midfielder had inherited the role of Hakimi and he only moderately knew how to put on this very large costume. Unlike a lot of Parisians, he didn’t really suffer physically, even at the end of the match when his ankle was hurting him, and he was able to respond in sequence in the duels. But his technical accuracy was not really there and Hakimi’s offensive volume was greatly lacking on the right side, his replacement remaining cautious. Also note a big mistake in stoppage time which almost cost the victory.

Beraldo: The Brazilian played again in the right axis of the defense and he experienced some notable failures in the first period, with a missed restart without consequence but above all a big lack of presence in the duel at 1-0. After the break, he was still in a bit of difficulty against the runs of the Lensois attackers but the switch to a more classic four-man defense at the end did him good and he finished in good fashion. In the restart, he was clean, but taking fewer risks than he usually does.

There : The Ecuadorian was not really reassured about his current form with once again a very complicated game against a very mobile Nzola who caused him a lot of difficulties. Far from being able to impose his size, Pacho therefore suffered much more than usual, a role in which he shows his limits, while he was also at fault on several poorly read aerial trajectories. And it wasn’t on the restart that he saved his match.

Hernandez : The 2018 world champion played his third match of the week and the recovery is still just as difficult. The left-hander, aligned more to the left, tried to bring on his side, whether not through his aggressiveness or through certain forward runs, but he is simply overwhelmed as soon as the game accelerates. Each opposing acceleration is an ordeal for him even if he tries to hang on. He certainly made a good return on Nzola but it was for example by being too limited in speed that he conceded the opening corner. His painful recovery therefore continues.

João Neves replaced him for the last half hour, being stepped on from the start by Thomasson. The little Portuguese had difficulty getting into the tone of the match, for example with this huge restart error which gave Gradit a goal ball, but he recovered well and finished strong. It is he who finds Barcola at 2-1 with a pass in perfect timing.

Nuno Mendes : That the Portuguese match had different faces. First placed in a Hakimi role on the left side, he never knew how to find his place and ran into space, unable to go to useful areas or get in the direction of the goal. We have even sometimes seen him wandering as a center forward, without more success, and the Portuguese’s technical waste has been significant. Placed in a more traditional role at the hour mark, he was initially just as catastrophic with the ball, losing a considerable number, and frankly very optional in defense. But the left-hander finished the game very strongly. As soon as the spaces really opened up and he was able to attack the opponent’s goal, he became that formidable player again and almost made Mayulu score. His coach did not help him at the start, he was still technically very irregular, and the Portuguese must raise the level in a lasting manner.

Vitinha: Positioned as sentinel of a very dysfunctional environment, the Portuguese spent a very complicated first half, discreet with the ball and incapable of making the slightest mark on his team’s play. It was even defensively that he was most useful, that’s saying something. In the second half, he was immediately more efficient and regained control of the game, even if he still suffered in contact. But the more the match progressed, the more the Portuguese hurt Lens with his ability to orchestrate the Parisian attacks and he also played a decisive role in the 2-1 when the ball was released.

Ruiz : Positioned as a left relay player, he, with the exception of a well-felt long-range strike, signed a first half as mediocre as the others, incapable of contributing anything to the game and dominated in the duels. But from the start of the second half, he was one of his Parisians who raised the cursor and the spaces which opened up allowed him to express his technique in the midfield. He won more defensive duels and his ability to play at all heights of the pitch was good. We thus find him in the area to equalize at a key moment but also in front of his own area to launch numerous actions. At the end of the match, he was invaluable with Vitinha to hold the ball and make Lens run.

Barcola: Positioned on the right at the kick-off as at the end of the game on Wednesday, he was immediately shaken by an ultra-aggressive Medina who managed to get him out of his match in this way since we only had him little seen in the first act. Switched to the left at the break, he appeared just as indolent and dominated in the duels until he broke away to get the ball for the 1-1 in front of Sarr before crossing accurately. Relaunched by this action, he was interesting at the end of the match, even if sometimes too timid in his duels, and rewarded with a goal from a superb strike after a good sequence. Confidence seems to be returning with great strides.

Lee : Positioned in a false point role that he had not occupied for months, he especially scored a lot and was one of the rare Parisian players to manage to hold the ball under pressure in the first period, successfully completing a few dribbles interesting. But Lee was often too far from the goal and nothing very interesting was produced afterwards, he gradually let go. In the second half, he completely disappeared until replaced, except for a through ball to Barcola.

Ramos replaced him and, after a complicated entry into the match where his partners couldn’t find him, he showed great utility in the game, particularly through his throw-ins. He notably achieved a superb one for Doué, but was not always so clean technically. His entry was successful despite everything, after two catastrophic tenures.

Gifted : This time, it was on the left that we found him at kick-off but his first period was difficult. He certainly had punch but Gradit put him in check practically in every duel and he lost a good number of balls, with a lot of bad choices. Switched to the right at the break, he also knew how to get back into the match and was more interesting on the other wing. Always generous defensively, he also managed to make some differences and help his team. After missing a match point following a good ball control, he found himself involved in the 2-1 by leading the counter well.

Mayulu replaced him for the very end of the match and he almost took advantage of his few minutes of play to score. He was also warned for cutting a dangerous counterattack.

NB : Source des images PSG.fr