Nothing is going well at Paris Saint-Germain, beaten at home for the second time in a row, by Lyon (1-0), on a Sunday evening when nothing worked, from the defense to Lionel Messi, whistled. This time the eleventh title in Ligue 1 is indeed in danger. Dominated by Rennes (2-0) just before the international break, PSG has again displayed all its weaknesses of the moment. This is the eighth defeat for the Parisian club in all competitions this season, the worst record since 2001.
Lens (2nd) and Marseille (3rd) are only six lengths away, which no longer seem insurmountable as Paris is playing poorly. During the next two days, the leader goes to Nice, undefeated since January 2, then will receive the Sang et Or for a match which could have the first place in play if the team of Christophe Galtier continues to sink. The Parisian coach, however, said he wanted to continue to fight in a post-match press conference.
Defensive feverishness
The eliminations in the Coupe de France against Marseille and in the Champions League against Bayern Munich were obviously not digested. The coach must find solutions if he wants to be on the bench again next season, as he sees it. But he does not manage to solve the problem of this end of the championship in slow motion.
Paris in particular showed a lot of feverishness in defense. The young El Chadaille Bitshiabu (17) lost too many balls and even Danilo Pereira, usually very sure, let several of them slip away.
Messi whistled
On the Lyon goal, signed Bradley Barcola, which appeared at the far post (56), the Parisian rearguard is completely frozen, like its captain, Marquinhos. In the cages, Gianluigi Donnarumma maintained doubts on his account by causing a penalty by mowing down Alexandre Lacazette after having poorly controlled a ball.
Fortunately for the Italian goalkeeper, the only penalty was a yellow card: the Lyon captain hit the post for the penalty (39). OL can blame themselves, on this action a slip prevented Barcola, in an excellent position, from hitting. Then Donnarumma prevented Lyon from making the break (67, 70), but it was before that we had to be decisive.
This time the solution did not come from Kylian Mbappé, not on a good evening except for a few flashes. No goal at the very end of the match like against Strasbourg or Brest. Nor did it come from Messi, transparent and repeatedly whistled by the Parc des Princes. His name was booed an hour before kick-off, delayed for a problem with the Lyon bus, by the first to arrive at the stadium.
Lyon ready for Nantes
The bronca was less clear at the announcement of the teams, but whistles still went down. And on his poorly negotiated occasions, the Park grumbled distinctly (26, 52). For his 50th game in Ligue 1, Messi seemed a long way from a renewal of his contract, which expires in June.
If nothing is going well for PSG, OL have perfectly prepared for their most important match of the season, the semi-final of the Coupe de France in Nantes on Wednesday. A final victory would save OL’s season by offering them a chimerical European qualification despite this prestigious victory. The club of President Jean-Michel Aulas is still eight points from 5th place, occupied by Lille.
Laurent Blanc, back at the Park after coaching PSG from 2013 to 2016, has succeeded. His team overcame the repercussions, the exit of their Swedish striker Amine Sarr, injured early in the match and replaced by Barcola (22nd), and the missed penalty by Lacazette.
Paris, which only has the championship to win, ended up under the resigned whistles of the stadium, not even a bronca. The K-Soce, the main Parisian ultra group, celebrated its 15th anniversary, and chained the “tifos” even after the defeat and fired off a fireworks display. On Saturday Mbappé, Achraf Hakimi and Donnarumma even went to the supporters’ headquarters. But Sunday the party was ruined.
