PSG, reduced to ten for a quarter of an hour, struggled through a complicated match against Strasbourg (2-1) and regained the lead in Ligue 1, but Paris has still not reassured its game.
After Lens’ success against Le Havre on Friday (1-0), PSG had the mission to regain its first place, while giving itself a little confidence after Wednesday’s draw in the Champions League against Newcastle (1-1), pushing Paris to play the play-offs against Monaco.
But Sunday evening at Meinau against Strasbourg (7th), PSG did not show much and still did not really reassure. They were even pushed around for a good part of the match by the Strasbourg side who took advantage of the spaces left by the Parisians’ high pressure.
But Matveï Safonov – who continued his second match in goal – repelled Joaquin Panichelli’s penalty, awarded for a handball from Marquinhos (17th). This is the fifth time this season that he has stopped a penalty or a shot on goal out of seven attempts, according to statistician Opta.
The number 1 goalkeeper of the moment – who relegated Lucas Chevalier to the bench – quickly relaxed (21st), after having already intervened on a strike from Diego Moreira (14th).
But the Russian was caught short of the equalizer by the Alsatians and Guéla Doué, alone in the area, who saw his extended shot pass between the legs of Safonov (1-1, 27th).
Strasbourg’s equalizer five minutes after PSG opened the score by Senny Mayulu (1-0, 22nd), helped by Bradley Barcola, seemed logical as the Parisians were hampered in the duels. They lacked physical commitment, which particularly annoyed Achraf Hakimi following a dangerous breakthrough from Julio Enciso (47th).
Without Fabian Ruiz (contusion to the left knee) nor Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (sprained right ankle) on Sunday evening, they suffered. Paris is much less impressive, the players are more physically challenged, possession is sterile and the chances are not clear, like those of Hakimi (57th), who was excluded following a sole on the shin of Panichelli (75th).
Reduced to ten men for a quarter of an hour, the Parisians – against the course of the match – managed to get back in front, thanks to good work from Lee Kang-In and Warren Zaire-Emery, concluded by the header of Nuno Mendes (2-1, 81st).
On the bench at the start of the match, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué did not show much, apart from a curling shot (56th) from number 14. Without in-form attackers, PSG will have a hard time getting out of this slow period.
Lyon unstoppable
Winners of Losc (1-0) by signing their tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, the Lyonnais are in 4th place in the championship, tied on points (39) with OM (3rd), slowed down at Paris FC on Saturday (2-2).
Thanks to a goal from young Danish midfielder Noah Nartey, decisive for his first start, the Rhone residents relegated the Mastiffs (5th) seven lengths.
Despite an overall performance that was much more solid than during their rout at home against Strasbourg (1-4), Bruno Genesio’s men, unrealistic about their opportunities, did not manage to stem their poor momentum, with a fourth defeat in a row in the league.
Nice’s black streak, which ended a string of eight unsuccessful matches by crushing Nantes (4-1), haunted the Gym for a time, which finally held on to Brest (2-2).
Trailing 2-0 at home, the Azuréens bounced back thanks to Ali Abdi from a corner (62nd), then Elye Wahi (71st), who arrived at the beginning of January and already scored his third goal with OGC Nice in five games.
This draw allows Claude Puel’s men to win a saving point: thirteenth ahead of Paris FC, they are 8 points ahead of play-off Nantes (16th).
The Canaries are under threat from Auxerre (17th), who came within one point thanks to their draw against Toulouse (0-0). Téfécé missed the opportunity to join the European places, even if it is getting closer, 8th, one length behind Rennes (6th, 31 points).
Reduced to 10, the red lantern Metz lost 1-0 at Angers (11th, 26 points), a second defeat for coach Benoît Tavenot after that against Lyon (5-2).
The Messins have not won in the league since the beginning of November, and a success against Nice (2-1) on the 12th day.
