PSG vs Lens 1:1 – Match Reports, Summary
With the league title up for grab, Paris Saint-Germain faced Lens on their home ground on Saturday night knowing that they have a point to prove. PSG vs Lens 1:1 – Match Reports, Summary. Trending: Angers Vs PSG – Match Reports, Summary (Angers 0:3 PSG).Â
Lens on the other side are still optimistic about playing European football next season and it was obvious that it won’t be an easy tie for both teams.
PSG failed to secure all 3 points with the match ending 1-1, but the result was still enough for Mauricio Pochettino’s team to be crowned champion. Going into the match, PSG have been forced to play their home matches under a bizarre condition with their fans yet to get over their Champions League exit.
With the calibre of players in the team, PSG fans were unhappy that their team were knocked out by Real Madrid in the round of 16.
However, that didn’t affect the team when they faced Angers in their previous Ligue 1 match. PSG won 3-0 with Kylian Mbappe among the scores. Lens on the other side recorded a 2-0 victory over Montpellier.
With no European matches left to play, Mauricio Pochettino has all his mind focused on securing the league title as soon as possible. Again, with the likes of Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Ander Herera yet to recover from their injury, Pochettino still has a world-class team at his disposal.
Despite not playing to expectations in his first season in France, Lionel Messi led the line alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. There was no place for Angel Di Maria in the starting eleven with Sergio Ramos getting another spot in the defence line alongside Kimpembe.
Lens on the other side are still without Gael Kakuta who failed to recover from his knee problem. There was also a big change in defence with Facundo Medina out with a thigh strain was replaced by young prospect Christopher Wooh.
PSG vs Lens 1:1 – Match Reports, Summary
Paris Saint-Germain starting lineup and formation (4-3-3):
Navas (GK) — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Kimpembe – Mendes Verratti, Gueye – Messi, Neymar, Mbappe.
Subs: Donnarumma, Bernat, Kehrer, Danilo, Wijnaldum, Herrera, Dina Ebimbe, Simons, Di MarÃa.
Lens starting lineup and formation (3-4-1-2)
Leca (GK) – Gradit, Danso, Wooh – Clauss, Doucoure, Fofana, Frankowski – Pereira – Sotoca, Kalimuena.
Subs: Farinez (GK), B. Pereira, Ganago, Machado, Kakuta, Said, Haidara, Cahuzac, Jean
Head to head
Both teams have played 30 matches with PSG winning 11 and Lens recording 8 victories. 11 matches ended in a draw. Currently, Paris Saint-Germain ranks 1st, while RC Lens hold 7th position.
Match Summary and Analysis
Just as expected, PSG were dominant in the first half as they held more ball possession ahead of their opponent. However, they were guilty of wasting clear chances that should have resulted in goals.
Neymar, who had returned to the starting XI alongside Messi, was arguably PSG’s greatest culprit in a wasteful first half. He dragged a low shot wide when he was unmarked at close range after Kylian Mbappe and Messi worked the ball across the Lens penalty area.
Mbappe also failed to find his scoring boots as he blazed shots over the crossbar while Messi saw his efforts blocked. Lens went close to breaking the deadlock with Seko Fofana and Jonathan Clauss having the ball on target but both failing to beat Navas. PSG players were booed off the pitch by their fans, a move that prove how badly they wanted a goal.
PSG 0 – Lens 0 (HT Result)
Both teams started the second half with so much belief that they can get the winner but it was PSG who drew first blood. Despite their fans reactions after the first half, Mbappe and Sergio Ramos both spurned chances as Lens initially held on.
However, Messi scored a brilliant goal after his teammates worked the ball to him from the left and located him in a central position. With just one thing in mind, Messi fired an exquisite drive past Leca and into the right-hand corner of his net. They were not relentless and the finally got a well-deserved equaliser in the 88th-minute.
Deiver Machado sent in a low cross inside the penalty area on the left which Ignatius Ganago almost tapped in, rolling through for Corentin Jean to do the honours.
PSG vs Lens 1:1 – Match Reports, Summary
PSG 1 – Lens 1 (FT Score)
What’s next for PSG
With another league title delivered to their fans, Mauricio Pochettino will be eager to accumulate more points with four games left to play.
Lens on the other side will be positive of playing European football next season if they can sustain their good form.
