Ligue 1: PSG brings down a valiant Nantes team

After defeating Real Sociedad on Wednesday evening, at the Parc des Princes in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 with this trip to the Beaujoire pitch. to challenge FC Nantes, during the 22nd day of Ligue 1. The Canaries presented themselves in 4-3-3 with Coco, Mohamed and Kadewere on the offensive front, in front of a Chirivella-Augusto-Sissoko line. On the other side, Luis Enrique had left Mbappé on the bench, replaced by Kolo Muani up front while Lee and Barcola were in the corridors. Zaire-Emery occupied the right-back position while the midfield was made up of Vitinha, Ugarte and Asensio. No surprises, however, in the central hinge with the association between Marquinhos and Danilo.

The first half was dominated by a Paris team that was not realistic enough in front of the cages. The ball was circulating well but the opportunities were too harmless, like these three small attempts by PSG in the first 45 minutes. At the end of a counter, Castelletto perfectly looked for Augusto in front of Donnarumma’s goal from the right wing. Lucas Hernandez stole the ball with a sliding tackle at the feet of the Nantes player who collapsed. The Canaries demanded a penalty, in vain (44th). In a new rapid transition phase, Danilo completely missed his control in the Parisian area and the ball returned to Mohamed, who came up against Donnarumma, who repelled the danger well with his foot. In the process, Cozza was countered by Marquinhos’ tackle at the far post (45th+2). On the following corner, the opening score of Nicolas Pallois, left alone at the far post, was refused for a logical offside position by Cozza, author of the cross after the ball returned to the corner post (45th+ 4). Despite possession largely to their advantage, PSG was held in check in Nantes at the break. The Canaries were effective on the counterattack and could have led at the very end of the period. Everything remained to be done in this closed meeting.

Lucas Hernandez launches the Parisians!

Return of the 22 actors for the second act with a small tactical change made by Luis Enrique: Bradley Barcola gave way to Gonçalo Ramos. Receiving a long cross from the left, Marquinhos headed Descamps ahead of the ball. The ball nevertheless passed over the goal (52nd). As a first intention, Pallois attempted a half-volley far from goal, almost 40 meters away. Donnarumma was forced to slam the ball under his bar (55th). On an action constructed from the left, Lucas Hernandez armed a heavy strike far from the goal. His shot, deflected by Sissoko, surprised Descamps to finish in the right corner. With success, PSG finally managed to open the scoring (60th, 0-1). Despite the entries of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, the Parisians had difficulty setting fire to the Nantes area, while Jocelyn Gourvennec’s troops were never able to maintain their good intentions in a lasting manner to lastingly worry their opponents, yet takeable this Saturday evening.

When receiving a ball at the entrance to the area, Kylian Mbappé collapsed in contact with Augusto. Logical penalty for PSG which the future Real Madrid player transformed without trembling (76th, 0-2). Despite the score on the scoreboard, the Nantes residents continued to impose a certain dose of intensity and aggressiveness. There was no lack of desire, unlike offensive realism. On the action following Mbappé’s goal, the Canaries found Gigio Donnarumma’s post on a volley from Chirivella (80th). In the standings, PSG remains in a very good position in the French championship, still leading Ligue 1 with a clear lead of 14 points over its runner-up OGC Nice, while FC Nantes is still in the belly soft with a 13th place in Ligue 1. Next weekend, the Rouge et Bleu will host Stade Rennais on Sunday afternoon. The Nantais will travel to Brittany to cross swords with the Merlus of FC Lorient, during the 23rd day.