The absence of talismanic World Cup winner Lionel Messi and the suspended Neymar proved to be an insurmountable impediment for Paris Saint-Germain, who noticed their unbeaten run since March 20 final 12 months come to an abrupt finish following a 3-1 loss to Lens on Sunday.
“Lens deserved their win,” stated PSG coach Christophe Galtier.
Lois Openda scored one and arrange one other as Lens, who’ve solely misplaced as soon as in Ligue 1 this season, closed the hole on PSG on the high to 4 factors after 17 rounds. “We are happy to be four points behind. This victory proves that we can beat anyone in this championship,” stated Lens coach Franck Haise.
PSG’s final loss was greater than 9 months in the past after they fell 3-0 at Monaco in Ligue 1, though that also left them 12 factors clear on the high of the desk.
On Sunday at Lens, PSG have been with out Messi and suspended Brazilian Neymar, however Kylian Mbappe, the Golden Boot winner in Qatar, obtained a rousing welcome from Lens followers as he warmed up.
Galtier stated he hoped French followers would give Messi an analogous reception. “He’s going to join us on Jan. 3, in 48 hours. I hope Leo will be well received. He won the most beautiful trophy by being very good. We know he’s a great and decisive player so we hope he’ll be well received obviously,” stated Galtier.
“Kylian worked hard. He exhibited great attitude. Leo and ‘Ney’ were not there but that is no excuse,” added Galtier.
Lens took the lead after 5 minutes when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma blocked an effort from Massadio Haidara to Przemyslaw Frankowski who scored.
Hugo Ekitike replied three minutes later, swinging laborious as Brice Samba dived to collect a cross and driving the ball by way of the Lens goalkeeper’s grasp.
Lens took management after 28 minutes. Seko Fofana gained possession on the sting of his personal field, drove by way of a few challenges, then measured a cross between the PSG central defenders to Openda. The Belgian sprinted clear, and squeezed a shot below Donnarumma.
Lens pressed from the beginning of the second half and within the 48th minute gained possession deep within the PSG half. The ball reached Openda within the field, his backheel left the protection flat-footed and allowed Alexis Claude Maurice to take a contact and rating from shut vary.
Celebration Week
The French league usually takes the vacation season off, however with matches to make up following the World Cup, it performed one spherical instantly after Christmas and one other on Sunday and Monday. They have dubbed the video games “Celebration Week”, in English, as a nod to the English custom of Boxing Day video games, however many followers are suspicious or hostile.
Among protest banners unfurled by followers in an virtually empty stand at Nantes, the place the house crew beat Auxerre 1-0, was one which complained that the league and broadcasters have been “killing” them.
In Monaco, Aleksandr Golovin smashed in the one purpose from outdoors the penalty space as the house crew did simply sufficient to beat Brest 1-0 and tighten their grip on fourth place.
Angers stay anchored to the underside after struggling a ninth straight loss, falling 2-1 to visiting Lorient who broke their very own run of six video games with no victory.
The residence crew’s Moroccan World Cup stars, Sofiane Boufal and Azzedine Ounahi, who’ve simply returned from trip and reportedly been promised profitable transfers, have been honored earlier than the match however didn’t seem. “I was happy to see Sofiane and Azzedine. For the moment they are here. For the rest, I leave that to the club directors. I only take care of what happens on the pitch,” stated Angers coach Abdel Bouhazama.
