The dolphin brings down the leader! Without Neymar and Lionel Messi, Paris Sains-Germain conceded their first defeat of the season (3-1) on the lawn of a boosted Lens team, Sunday during the 17th day of Ligue 1. It is the first times since his arrival on the Parisian bench last summer that Christophe Galtier suffered a setback. PSG had indeed been undefeated in all competitions for more than nine months and a 3-0 rout in Monaco on March 20.
Sunday, in an incandescent Bollaert-Delelis Stadium which gave him a superb welcome with nearly a minute of songs in his honor during the warm-up, Kylian Mbappé could not save his team as against Strasbourg on Wednesday (2- 1).
Uninspired
In the absence of Neymar, suspended, and Messi, who has not yet returned to France since his coronation in Qatar, Galtier had established the Spaniard Carlos Soler in support of Mbappé and Ekitike.
But Paris was sorely lacking in inspiration and its midfield failed against a solid and enthusiastic Lensois who won thanks to goals from Przemyslaw Frankowski (5th), Loïs Openda (28th) and Alexis Claude-Maurice ( 47th), while Hugo Ekitike had equalized for the Parisian club (8th).
PSG, however, remains firmly attached to its leader’s chair with four lengths ahead of Lens, which is making the best start to the season in its history.
100th successful for Haise
The game plan concocted by Franck Haise, for his 100th game at the head of the RCL, has again worked wonders. Its players, united and efficient, spared no effort and continued their incredible faultless performance at home with a ninth victory in nine games since August.
Carried by their public, the Sang et Or started the meeting foot to the floor. After a first thrill on a free kick from Frankowski which crossed the Paris area (3rd), the second opportunity was good for the RCL: Florian Sotoca crossed at the far post for Haïdara, whose delivery was diverted by Gianluigi Donnarumma on Frankowski, who scored with a flat foot (1-0, 5th).
But Paris was quick to react to cool the crazy atmosphere a little: Soler launched Mukiele, who crossed back for Ekitike, who took the ball back when Brice Samba seemed to have it in his hands. Despite the Lensoise protests, the VAR granted the goal (1-1, 8th).
Little by little, PSG seemed to take control of operations, like this shot from Mbappé repelled by Samba on Ekitike, who found the side netting (17th). But the Artésiens, solid and sharp in counterattacks, took advantage of the largesse left by a permeable Parisian block, in particular the diamond-shaped middle.
Decisive openda
Thus, Alexis Claude-Maurice missed his recovery when he was alone at the far post (23rd), but Openda did not miss his chance: after a Parisian opportunity, Seko Fofana recovered the ball in front of his area before launch the Belgian striker, who left behind Ramos’ back and who beat Donnarumma after eliminating Marquinhos with a nice hook (2-1, 28th).
The timid reaction of PSG did not allow him to come back to score before half-time. And Lens was responsible for knocking out the leader on the return from the locker room by widening the gap in the 47th minute. Pressed by Haïdara in front of his surface, Fabian Ruiz lost the ball, which Openda seized, who intelligently pursued Claude-Maurice, whose shot left Donnarumma no chance (3-1).
The capital club then never seemed able to reverse the situation despite attempts by Hakimi (55th) and Pablo Sarabia (75th) well repelled by Samba. Even if the title still seems promised to it, Paris, already winded against Strasbourg on Wednesday, will have to pull itself together to regain its level and hope to experience a nice European spring.
The RCL never ceases to surprise and can continue to dream of qualifying for the European Cup.