Though the rivalry has seemingly been extra than on the pitch of late, clashes between PSG and Lyon have remained one of many highlights of the Ligue 1 season, no matter the 2 groups’ fortunes.
With respective slip-ups from Monaco and Marseille earlier this weekend, Les Parisiens had been introduced with an opportunity to increase their lead on the prime of the desk to seven factors – offered they ended a two-match winless streak in Ligue 1. Neither aspect was essentially at full power, with Pierre Sage notably resting Alexandre Lacazette after a testing midweek European tie. Luis Enrique opted to begin Désiré Doué – who had struggled for type since arriving this summer time – forward of Bradley Barcola, whereas membership captain Marquinhos was additionally left on the bench.
However, the choice to begin Doué paid prompt dividends. The previous Rennes man was the architect for PSG’s opening purpose, spinning away from Maitland-Niles and down the wing earlier than slicing it again for Dembélé (who had scuffed a earlier likelihood) to complete from shut vary. The French youth worldwide would even be concerned within the second purpose, profitable the spot-kick which was duly transformed by Vitinha.
Whereas PSG would predictably proceed to dominate possession because the half progressed, Lyon had been in a position to carve out the clearer alternatives. The guests notably had a robust case for a penalty when Doué introduced down Ernest Nuamah within the field, earlier than Mikautadze pulled one again minutes later with a deft, chipped end previous Donnarumma.
The second half can be quickly stopped amid offensive chanting from the PSG ultras – who had been already warned within the first half over a homophobic chant. After a dialogue with the referee, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha would go over to the Virage Auteuil to plead with the suppoters, who finally acquiesced.
Alternatives can be few and much between within the closing half-hour, in any case – Lyon’s possibilities of a comeback little question dented by the lingering exhaustion from their journey to Frankfurt on Thursday. Luis Enrique’s males would battle to slice by way of a resolute visiting defence – a volleyed effort from Lee and some bursts into the field from Bradley Barcola would punctuate an in any other case nondescript second half. PSG would lastly be out of sight with two minutes to go, as substitute Gonçalo Ramos bundled house after a Barcola shot throughout purpose had been parried into his path by Perri.
PSG participant scores
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 4 – The Italian was solely really examined as soon as, and his petulant response to conceding from Mikautadze’s chip might properly have price him dearly.
Achraf Hakimi, 6
Lucas Beraldo, 5 – The Brazilian was making his return to motion after three weeks out injured, and regarded considerably frail – though he was scarcely referred to as into motion in any case. Changed by Marquinhos for the ultimate half-hour.
Willian Pacho, 7 – PSG’s most constant participant this season put in one other near-faultless efficiency, with the free move that led to Mikautadze’s purpose being the one blot in his copybook.
Nuno Mendes, 6 – The Portuguese full-back notably despatched within the cross that led to the penalty for PSG’s second purpose, and tracked again properly to include Ernest Nuamah. Changed for the ultimate half-hour by Lucas Hernandez, who was making his return to motion after a 6-month damage absence.
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6 – The younger midfielder noticed a few goalscoring alternatives come his approach, however was extra relaxed in a defensive position, profitable the ball again a number of occasions and popping out on prime in most of his one-on-one duels.
Vitinha, 5 – The 24-year-old, who lined essentially the most floor on Sunday night, was not essentially at his incisive greatest however managed to evade the guests’ excessive press within the first half, throughout which he scored his third purpose of the marketing campaign. A extra snug second half adopted.
João Neves, 6
Kang-in Lee, 4 – The South Korean had a quiet sport, together with his solely involvement sport being two missed possibilities – one after selecting up a yellow card early, and the second on the hour mark, after which he was changed by Bradley Barcola.
Ousmane Dembélé, 6
Désiré Doué, 7 – Arguably his greatest efficiency since transferring from Brittany this summer time. Assisted the primary purpose, received the penalty for the second, and noticed a thumping effort into the roof of the online dominated out for offside. A continuing hazard down the left-hand aspect, beating Ainsley Maitland-Niles a number of occasions on the dribble.
Chosen Lyon participant scores
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 2 – The previous Arsenal full-back struggled to include Désiré Doué for the primary hour, after which Bradley Barcola on the finish of the match, with PSG patently concentrating on the left flank all through the match. The 27-year-old additionally confirmed questionable decision-making within the moments he ventured ahead.
Nemanja Matić, 4 – The Serbian was arguably Lyon’s most imposing presence in a midfield battle by which they had been decidedly outplayed, however his lack of pace was a significant impediment to countering the hosts. Additionally considerably wasteful on the ball
Georges Mikautadze, 6 – Typically reduce an remoted determine up entrance, however made the a lot of the few balls that got here his approach. A well-taken end to halve the deficit earlier than half-time. Changed by Alexandre Lacazette halfway by way of the second half, and the veteran striker’s influence was minimal.
Rayan Cherki, 6 – Danced previous the PSG defence earlier than establishing a wide-open Mikautadze for Lyon’s purpose, and continued to orchestrate what seemed to be a Lyon comeback up till the break. The 21-year-old was then introduced off for Benrahma within the second half.
GFFN – reporting from the Parc des Princes, Paris