Tops / Flops PSG-Lorient: Rafinha in all the good moves, the missed opportunities of the Merlus – Ligue 1

At the Parc des Princes

TOPS

Rafinha, in all the right moves
Not much positive to gain from this match against Lorient on the Paris side, except the victory (2-0). We can still cite the rather reassuring performance of Layvin Kurzawa … as a left axial (see elsewhere), the large volume of Idrissa Gueye in the middle (114 balls, 12 recoveries, 92.7% of successful passes ) and the rather good comeback of the young (18 years) Timothée Pembélé, in place of Danilo Pereira, injured (10th). But the prize goes to Rafinha, author of an assist and a half and therefore in all the good shots. One and a half, because it is he who launches Kylian Mbappé on the action which brings the penalty and the red (a little harsh?) To Lorient’s Andreaw Gravillon (49th). And it is again he who finds Moise Kean for the goal of 2-0 (60th). Metronome and technical leader of PSG without Neymar, Marco Verratti and Angel Di Maria, the former Barcelona has, of course, sometimes narrowly missed. Especially in the first period. But his left paw did good, a lot of good. 99 balls touched and four last passes before a shot, in 71 minutes. He only missed one goal (3 shots) – which would have been his first in Paris – to make his performance even more beautiful. It was not far (69th). Precious. Already five assists in 15 matches with Paris-SG.

Kurzawa gives the change
Doubled by Mitchel Bakker at the left-back position lately, the international tricolor began, for the second time, as a left axial in the defensive trio. And despite a few inaccuracies, especially at the beginning, he did quite well. Several decisive interventions, two interceptions, 11 balls recovered and two thirds of duels won (8/12) to be credited, with 122 balls touched and a post (80th).

The good accounts of Mbappé, Kean and PSG
If they did not particularly shine in the game, Kylian Mbappé and Moise Kean did what they are paid for above all: to score. For the first, on a penalty that he himself caused (50th), and for the second, right on a pass from Rafinha (60th). Too little used in the first period (26 balls) and quickly annoyed, the world champion with … blue hair was however the Parisian who provoked the most, the one through whom the danger could happen. However, he was not always happy in his endeavors and freed himself over the course of the meeting. In any case, it is Mbappé’s 13th goal this season (16 matches), including 11 in 11 Ligue 1 matches, and Kean’s 10th (18 matches). And that’s the most important thing in this game: the numbers. Beyond a service that will politely qualify as dull (see elsewhere), PSG took three important points in the race for the title. Especially since Lyon and OM did not win. While waiting to know how many points the Marseillais will take in their two late matches (Lens, Nice), Paris (31 pts) goes back to second place in the standings, behind its next opponent, Lille (32 pts).

» READ ALSO – PSG-Lorient: the film of the meeting

FLOPS

Terem Moffi, Yoane Wissa and Lorient inefficiency
Control is football. Ball driving too. And that of Terem Moffi, in the 26th minute, is not to be shown in schools… Recruited for € 8 million in Kortrijk in the offseason, the young (21) Nigerian striker could have found himself alone against Sergio Rico. However, he did not know how to handle the ball properly. Terrible technical error … Quite a symbol. That of Lorient’s ineffectiveness in the first period, with three huge situations to open the scoring. First Yoane Wissa (9th), well launched by Moffi and who stumbled on Sergio Rico (9th), and Moffi, who could not hang the frame after a loss of Parisian ball (25th). There was room for the Hake. And even after the break, with a double save by Rico in front of Jérémy Morel and Wissa (65th), or even this recalcitrant post on an attempt by Adrian Grbic (88th). Obviously, the Lorientais were dominated (24 shots at 8, 6 saves by Paul Nardi, almost 75% of possession for PSG), but with a little more success, he could perhaps have cast doubt on this PSG who does not was not a great PSG. And that harsh red of course didn’t help their cause …

Parisian excitement
Admittedly, the Hakes hit four times less on goal than their Parisian hosts (24 to 8). But they’ve had at least as many hot situations. In fact, they created more until the opening of the scoring and the expulsion of one of their own. Like Presnel Kimpembe’s ball against Lyon (0-1), it was often on Parisian errors. Thilo Kehrer has faulted several times. Danilo was also feverish before going out. Faced with a better armed and above all more successful team, the Parisian wanderings of the evening would no doubt have been sanctioned …

Football porridge
If the second half did not reach footballing heights, Paris still developed a little play and started to collect balls higher. At 11 against 10, it’s easier, especially against a poorly classified promoted … Regarding the first 45 minutes, we witnessed a duel for the less poor. Very, very, very poor. In all areas. In both camps. Technical errors, misses in front of goal, passes in the stands, little or no movement or speed… A mush. Difficult to remain riveted on the “spectacle”. Despite a significant turnover (seven changes compared to the eleven who started against Lyon) and many absent (Neymar, Marquinhos, Navas …), PSG is without even more guilty than its weak opponents. We were obviously entitled to expect more from this team, be it a B or mixed team. This is not the match that should be highlighted when negotiating the TV rights of L1. One thing is certain: it is time for the year to end for Paris Saint-Germain, which does not have much to offer in 2020. Injuries, Covid and “mental fatigue” have already burned down reservations. Speaking of injuries, Danilo Pereira, hit in the thigh, was added to the list (10th).