For 20 big minutes, PSG scared themselves. Against Dunkirk, the only team which for 12 years has deprived the capital club of the title of French champion in 2013-2014, Paris was up to 4 goals behind (4-8). Like a week ago in the final of the Coupe de France against Nantes, like three days earlier in the Champions League against Barcelona (30-22), Paris seemed helpless. In doubt, tired, not far from having a little crisis, Paris trembled.
And then Zorro arrived, or rather Nikola Karabatic came into play and suddenly, the future retiree scored two goals to bring his team back into the match. The Parisians then tightened the defense, Dunkirk began to let their guard down and PSG returned to the match. Confidence has also returned and in these conditions, PSG is becoming strong again, stronger than the others. Despite this failed start, Paris returned to the locker room at the break with a 2-goal lead (17-15) by force of the wrist.
The French champion, reinvigorated despite the expected absence of Elohim Prandi, injured in the ankle, did not loosen his grip in the second half. Jannick Green, the Danish goalkeeper, put bolts on his cage, the young Parisian guard showed the extent of his great promises and Paris ended up even taking off. Paris raised its level of play to win with a very comfortable margin, 34-27.
Parisian victory during this 26th day against USDK after a better controlled second period.
The Rouge et Bleu can now look forward to their Champions League second leg against Barcelona pic.twitter.com/ibBYEwO72G
— PSG Handball (@psghand) April 28, 2024
In the standings, PSG is 3 points ahead of Nantes. There are 4 days remaining and the title, the 11th in the club’s history, is getting a little closer. “We have been going through a complicated situation for some time,” pivot Ruben Marchan told BeIN Sports. We have a lot of injuries. However, we must finish this season well. We know that each match is now decisive, that each match is a final, until the end. We have three points back from Nantes, that’s good but we have to keep fighting.”
Until the end, so as not to tremble, defeat is forbidden. Until the end, the Parisians must still challenge Dijon, Nîmes and Créteil before a final fireworks display against Aix on May 31 at the Accor Arena for Nikola Karabatic’s club farewell. For the occasion, Bercy will be full: there are no more places on sale and all of French sport will come to honor it. Before that, we almost forgot, there remains the return match of the Champions League against Barcelona this May 2 in Catalonia. The challenge seems like a mission impossible. “We are aware that it is complicated but we still have to go there and fight until the end” insists Ruben Marchan.
