Fall champions since last weekend, Paris Saint-Germain had the opportunity to confirm their five-point lead over OGC Nice, or even increase their lead in the event of poor results from the Aiglons (against Lens). ) and AS Monaco (against Toulouse). To do this, Luis Enrique had again chosen to align a hybrid 3-4-3, with Warren Zaire-Emery on the right side and the Achraf Hakimi-Lucas Hernandez pair on the sidelines. On the Metz side, it’s not easy to end the year with a trip to the Parc des Princes. Fourteenth in the Ligue 1 standings, the Moselle club is only three points ahead of the play-off team (OL) and remains on three consecutive defeats without having scored a single goal. Unsurprisingly, we witnessed an attack-defense. But a soporific attack-defense during the first 45 minutes!
PSG came up against a very grouped low block with Messins very effective with their two-man holds. And with an uninspired attacking trio (Mbappé, Kolo Muani, Barcola), it’s difficult to get your teeth into goal-scoring actions. Note, however, that Barcola had the merit of bringing a little movement. He was also the most sought-after attacker, when Mbappé and RKM were bogged down in the Metz defense. There were small scares (9th, 17th, 32nd), but each time, the last decisive move was not there. Result: at half-time the Rouge et Bleu had 80% possession of the ball, but only 3 shots (1 on target) on the clock. Worse, a defensive header from Danilo Pereira could have given the visitors the advantage if Donnarumma’s left post had not saved the Portuguese defender (23rd). No movement, no inspiration, no efficiency, ghostly offensive stars and a defense easily put in difficulty on the counter: Paris remained in line with its last matches. Disappointing.
Mbappé celebrates his 25th birthday with dignity
Returning from the locker room, Luis Enrique made a small change of position by repositioning Kang-in Lee on the right side. A tactical move that pays off. It was in fact on a cross from the right of the South Korean that Vitinha gave his team the advantage (1-0, 49th). A few minutes later, Lee delivered another excellent ball into the area, but Kolo Muani scored another finish (54th). In front, Paris avoided a complicated scenario. Better, Kylian Mbappé gave his team even more air at the hour mark. Until now transparent, even annoying, the Bondynoisa once again silenced his detractors by unleashing a terrible shot from outside the area.
A missile which came to clean the left window in Metz (2-0, 60th). Once again, despite a lackluster match, Mbappé recalled that he did not need much to be decisive. But PSG remains PSG. While his team was leading quietly, Luis Enrique must have become annoyed when he saw his players trembling somewhat after the score was reduced from a corner by Udol (2-1, 72nd). Fortunately for the Rouge et Bleu, Mbappé celebrated his 25th birthday as he should by taking advantage of a bad pass behind N’Duquidi to crucify Oukidja (3-1, 83rd). For the record, this match was also the opportunity to see his little brother, Ethan Mbappé, make his big debut with the pros (90th). 3-1, Paris has secured the essentials and maintains its five points lead over the Niçois who won RC Lens.
Nice puts an end to Lensoise’s streak of invincibility
At the Allianz Riviera, Nice wanted to raise the bar. Beaten twice (by Nantes and Ke Havre) in its last three matches, the Gym saw PSG distance itself at the top of the standings and the Monegasque rival come back to two small points. The mission of Francesco Farioli’s men, however, was not easy against a Lens team that was seventh and undefeated in Ligue 1 since September 16. For the last of the year in Nice, the kick-off was delayed due to a pyrotechnic festival of smoke bombs lit by Nice supporters. A fiery atmosphere before launching an XXL match? The first period was rather open, with opportunities on both sides. Bard (20th) responded to Saïd (13th) to start the festivities, but afterward, so many missed opportunities! If the RCL had possession (56%), it was the Gym which shot the most… but not on target (2 shots on target out of 8). A 0-0 which suited the Artésiens, but not the Niçois since at the break, Monaco’s 2-1 in Toulouse allowed the Asémistes to steal second place from the Aiglons.
In the second period, the southerners then accelerated to swing things in their favor. Laborde (52nd), Boudaoui (53rd) and especially Guessand (60th) alerted Samba. But once again, the lack of efficiency was there. And then, around the 65th minute, we thought Salvatore Sirigu was going to make his comeback in Ligue 1 when Bulka complained about his left leg. In vain. On the other hand, Nice ended up finding the fault after its numerous failed actions. First of all by obtaining a penalty converted by Moffi (1-0, 77th). Two minutes later, the Nigerian scored twice on an excellent service from Boca (2-0, 79th). Mass was said. In the ranking, status quo. Nice regained its second place and remains five lengths behind PSG. For its part, Lens sees its invincibility streak end, but remains seventh.
Relive the film of the PSG-Metz match
Relive the film of the Nice-Lens match
The complete Ligue 1 ranking
The results of the 18th day of L1:
-PSG-Metz:
-Nice-Lens:
-Toulouse-Monaco:
-Strasbourg-Lille:
-Montpellier-OM:
-OL-Nantes:
-Brest-Lorient:
-Clermont-Rennes:
-Reims-Le Havre:
