Faced with Lensois quickly reduced to ten, the Parisians scored three goals in nine minutes on Saturday, but did not show great defensive serenity (3-1). They now have a nine-point lead over their evening opponent.
In a week marked by accusations of racism against Christophe Galtier, Paris Saint-Germain needed to breathe. Both to put aside these agitations behind the scenes, but also to consolidate its place as leader in the ranking. If they were jostled by RC Lens, the Parisians still ended up winning on Saturday April 15 (3-1), taking advantage of the early expulsion of Salis Abdul Samed (19e). Kylian Mbappé, the club’s new record number of goals in the league, Vitinha and Lionel Messi handed victory to the Rouge et Bleu.
While the Lensois had the opportunity to come back just three points from their first place, the Parisians did not advance completely serenely against their runner-up. With the memory of the defeat in the first leg, the first setback of the season which had derailed the Parisian machine, the men of the capital were warned. However, they seemed surprised by the intensity from the kick-off by the Artésiens. During the first quarter of an hour, Franck Haise’s players occupied the opposing camp and put pressure on the Parisian raises, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma to stand out.
A red card that changes everything
But while his team dominated without complex, the Lensois Salis Abdul Samed was guilty of a gross foul on Achraf Hakimi, with a late sole on the ankle of the Moroccan, and received a red card (19e). A turning point in the match, since the Sang et Or were forced to release their pressing, which had been effective until then. With a completely reversed scenario, the Parisians put their foot back on the ball, Nuno Mendes lit a first fuse, then Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring with a well-inspired pivot shot (31e). The first goal of a series of three, scored in nine minutes, with achievements from Vitinha, from afar (37e) and Messi (40e), well served on a heel of genius from Mbappé.
As usual, when he had the game in hand, PSG still managed to scare each other. In the second half, the Parisians did not put enough intensity into the duels and gave the Lensois opportunities to close the gap. After a hand from Fabian Ruiz in his area, Przemyslaw Frankowski took charge of converting a penalty (57e), then the sharp appeals of Loïs Openda put the Parisian defense in difficulty.
Without a good, vigilant Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Belgian striker could have punished PSG, while the Parisians waited for the 70e minute to shoot for the first time in the second half. The Lensoise desire was not enough, and Paris Saint-Germain now has a nine-point lead over the Sang et Or, who could lose their second place in the event of a Marseille victory against Troyes on Sunday (9 p.m.).
