Ligue 1: cautious winner of Brest, PSG returns to one point behind leader Nice

On behalf of the 10th day of Ligue 1 this Sunday in the capricious Breton climate, Paris Saint-Germain, author of three victories in a row in all competitions between Ligue 1 (Rennes and Strasbourg) and the Champions League (3- 0 against AC Milan), traveled to the Francis-Le Blé pitch to face Stade Brestois, sixth in the championship standings but in a more complicated form, with three matches without the slightest success (2 draws, 1 defeat). This reception was clearly an opportunity for the Bretons to finally win against the capital club, against whom they had never taken three points for 38 years. For their part, Luis Enrique’s men could hope to come back to within one point of leader Nice, winner in Clermont on Friday evening in the opening match (1-0). Very quickly in the match, Luis Enrique’s foals would attack the Breton rearguard, with the first strike signed Kang-in Lee, defeated by Bizot before Barcola missed his recovery from the right (3rd).

A risky restart from Donnarumma almost revived the Brestois but without consequence (12th), followed by a strong moment from the locals before the first quarter of an hour. The Italian goalkeeper was more vigilant throughout the match, as evidenced by his header in front of his own area (32nd). But after a shot cleared by Marco Bizot (5th), Warren Zaire-Emery deceived the Dutch goalkeeper with a missile into the top corner (16th), for his first goal this season after 5 assists in all competitions. The last red rampart remained excellent in front of his line despite the opener conceded, blocking Lee’s shot (21st), before coming out at the feet of Mbappé, finally offside, outside the area (23rd ). The Brest reaction came from the foot of Pierre Lees-Melou, at the initiative of a volley too imprecise to worry Gigio (24th), just like Mahdi Camara, not attacked at the entrance to the area (27th). But following a recovery in their last third, PSG quickly projected themselves forward with the superb deep pass from the outside of the foot for Mbappé, author of a failed control but recovered the ball well to perform his special in front of the goal, closing his foot on his shot to leave Bizot immobile (28th).

Mbappé woke up Francis-Le Blé

His special allowed him to score his 9th goal of the season in Ligue 1. The Parisian number 7 then lost his duel against Bizot, deflecting his low shot with his foot (41st). Finally, before the end of the first period, Eric Roy’s men were finally rewarded with the good cross Kenny Lala for Steve Mounie, who reduced the gap with a nice cross-helmet shot (43rd). A new time for the Pirates of Finistère, who set fire to the Parisian zone in added time of the first act, without finding a way to shake the nets for a second before returning to the locker room. In the second half, the visitors believed they were regaining their dominance demonstrated after the kick-off, but it was not without counting on the reaction of the men in red, first with Steve Mounie’s repulsed strike in the zone of truth (51st ). In the corner following the action, Jérémy Le Douaron stood out at the near post to send an overturned header into the small left net of Donnarumma, beaten (2-2, 52nd). Paris Saint-Germain was therefore obliged to raise the level to continue its series of victories.

A revival confirmed by the good work of Mbappé, launched on the left by Barcola, before returning to his right foot but the 2018 world champion saw his shot escape the target (57th). In better shape in recent weeks, Fabian Ruiz, served by Zaire-Emery at the entrance to the area, narrowly missed his right curl (61st). Mounie, first narrowly missing his attempt from 15 meters (66th), found Le Douaron perfectly, who was unable to get the ball down to the far post (68th). However, this did not prevent the SB29 from attacking several times, notably on the Roman Del Castillo corridor, but the Parisian rearguard held firm. We had to wait for a foul from Lilian Brassier on Randal Kolo Muani to see PSG have a chance to regain the advantage. After a penalty saved by Bizot, Mbappé finally scored the double in the second half (2-2, 89th), upsetting the Brest crowd and leaving the field in the process. After an electric end to the match, PSG won in Brest and occupied provisional second place, pending AS Monaco’s trip to Lille (3 p.m.), Brest remains sixth in the Ligue 1 standings.