Before thinking about the C1, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) had another meeting with Ligue 1, this time at Angers (13th). A match that the Parisians easily won (0-3), with a team largely reshuffled a few days before the European clash. Starting against Nantes on Wednesday, Ilia Zabarnyi continued in defense, alongside Willian Pacho. Lucas Beraldo occupied the midfield with Mayulu and Ruiz, starting for the first time with PSG since January 20. In difficulty against OL last weekend, Gonçalo Ramos was revived by Luis Enrique, surrounded by Kang-in Lee and Bradley Barcola. Opposite, Alexandre Dujeux lined up a 5-3-2 with Prosper Peter and Amine Sbaï in front.
It only took eight minutes of play for the French champions to take the lead at the Stade Raymond-Kopa. After a good ball delivered by Beraldo, Hakimi came up against Hervé Koffi. The ball then returned to Kang-In Lee, who hooked the Burkinabe goalkeeper before pushing the ball into the back of the net (0-1). Dominant, the Parisians were almost surprised when Haris Belkebla, completely alone at the far post, perfectly received a cross from Peter. But the Angevin goal was ultimately refused for offside (23rd). In the process, Hakimi hit the post with a free kick (28th), before PSG made the break ten minutes later. Already at the start of the first goal, Beraldo slipped a magnificent pass behind the Angevin defense for Senny Mayulu. The Parisian Titi raced towards goal before placing a flat left foot into the side net (0-2, 38th). Bradley Barcola, who came on in the middle of the week, came very close to breaking the match, but saw his stung ball saved at the last minute by the SCO rearguard before the break (43rd).
Six points ahead at the top, now it’s time for Bayern
Returning from the locker room, Luis Enrique brought on Neves, Zaire-Emery and Dro Fernández in place of Ruiz, Hernández and Hakimi, who had previously felt uncomfortable. Changes which did not change the Parisian dynamic and which only accentuated the control of the Ile-de-France club in the second half. Luis Enrique’s flock even scored a third goal, from a corner with the head of Lucas Beraldo (51st, 0-3), rewarded for his very good match in Maine-et-Loire.
Little worried, Matvey Safonov’s teammates, however, finished the match numerically inferior, after the second yellow card from Gonçalo Ramos for a tackle at the feet of Hervé Koffi (74th). An expulsion which did not change the outcome of this meeting, won largely by Paris Saint-Germain, who now have a six-unit lead over Racing Club de Lens, four matches from the end of this season in the championship. Now it’s time for the Champions League and the reception of Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes, for the first act of this semi-final.
