On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain triumphed over Lens with a score of 2-1 in Ligue 1, driven by the outstanding performance of Bradley Barcola and crucial saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
This victory increased PSG’s lead in the league standings to 10 points, yet it did not completely erase the defensive shortcomings of Luis Enrique’s squad as they prepare for a significant Champions League fixture against Manchester City next week.
Despite remaining unbeaten in Ligue 1, PSG faced considerable challenges from the enthusiastic supporters at Stade Bollaert, as Lens put forth an aggressive performance and created numerous scoring opportunities. It wasn’t until the 86th minute that Lens succumbed, when Barcola, who had earlier assisted Fabian Ruiz’s equalizer, netted the winning goal.
PSG has allowed four goals across its last three matches, including two against a lower-league amateur side during the French Cup earlier in the week.
With only two matches remaining in the Champions League, the team finds itself in 25th place, putting their advancement to the knockout stage in jeopardy.
The match began with the home side executing a solid defensive strategy, warding off PSG’s attacks and ultimately grabbing the lead from a corner kick.
Przemys?aw Frankowski delivered the corner, allowing Vitinha to send a header toward the far post where the unmarked M’Bala Nzola was waiting. The Angolan forward found the back of the net with a precise low shot from close range.
Nzola seemed poised to score again in the 57th minute following a rapid counterattack, but his goal was disallowed due to offside.
Instead, PSG equalized just three minutes later as Barcola fended off a challenge from Malang Sarr and skillfully set up Ruiz with a cut-back pass, which the Spanish midfielder converted effortlessly past Lille’s goalkeeper Hervé Koffi.
Lens continued to create chaos within the PSG defense multiple times, yet they were unable to capitalize on their chances thanks to Donnarumma’s interventions. Often under scrutiny this season, he made crucial saves, notably in the 65th minute with a double save against Goduine Koyalipou. Nine minutes from time, he showcased his skills with a remarkable diving stop against a powerful strike from Jonathan Gradit and added another crucial save during stoppage time.
Koffi also played a vital role, particularly when he blocked a shot from Désiré Doué with his head, but was ultimately unable to prevent Barcola from controlling João Neves’ pass within the box, which he sent soaring into the top corner of the net.
Consequently, Lens remains in seventh place, trailing PSG by 19 points.
In the Brittany derby, Brest secured a 2-1 victory against Rennes, who continued to struggle in a disappointing season, having been eliminated from the French Cup just days prior after a loss to a second-tier team.
The defeat left Rennes just a point above the relegation playoff zone, marking the first time since the 1983-84 season that they have lost 11 out of their first 18 league matches.
Brest’s goals came from Hugo Magnetti and Ludovic Ajorque, while Ludovic Blas netted a consolation goal for Rennes in the 77th minute, which proved too late for frustrated supporters.
Following the match, Rennes players attempting to approach their diehard fans were met with hostility, necessitating intervention from security to prevent some from rushing onto the pitch.
Additionally, Lyon, currently in sixth place, recorded a 0-0 draw with Toulouse.
