Paris wins 2-1, without convincing, against Strasbourg

Paris Saint-Germain won in Strasbourg (2-1) on Friday February 2 at the opening of the twentieth day of Ligue 1 but did not convince in the game, twelve days before their round of 16 first leg of the Ligue 1. champions against Real Sociedad.

From an accounting point of view, this success allows the Parisians (47 points) to maintain a comfortable lead ahead of their runner-up Nice (38 points), which plays at Brest on Sunday, and interrupts the series of six matches without defeat for the Strasbourgers, tenth ( 25 points).

But in the game, the capital club did not show much, a week after its disappointing draw against Brest (2-2), facing a mid-table team in Ligue 1.

Overall, Luis Enrique’s players were mainly content with lateral passes, without ideas against the Strasbourg block, and did not reassure in defense, too often discovered at the slightest loss of the ball.

The young goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch (22 years old), promoted to the starting position the day after the surprising departure of Alsatian captain Matz Sels to Nottingham Forest, had to make a blunder for Paris to open the scoring with the inevitable Kylian Mbappé (31st), author of his twentieth goal.

A very rhythmic start to the match

It was even Strasbourg who almost opened the scoring after 37 seconds, when Moïse Sahi Dion came up against Gianluigi Donnarumma at close range after a billiard shot in the area. During this match, the Italian confirmed his rise in power in recent weeks, making several decisive saves when his defense had abandoned him.

In a very rhythmic start to the match, it was Paris’ turn to be very close to opening the score: very active throughout the match, Randal Kolo Muani showed mischief to obtain a penalty from contact with Lucas Perrin (4ᵉ).

But Bellaarouch, who was playing his first minutes in Ligue 1, relaxed magnificently to deflect Mbappé’s attempt before being congratulated by his teammates. He couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, ultimately tarnished by his restart error.

The stands were also active. Supporters from both camps agreed to protest against the Disciplinary Commission, brandishing banners bearing the message: “To put an end to club racketeering, for an end to collective sanctions, for an end to disproportionate fines, let’s reform the Disciplinary Commission. »

On the pitch, Racing had several opportunities to equalize, in vain, before being punished by a well-led counter-attack by the Parisians with Mbappé at the initiative of a beautiful backheel then with the last fifty-meter pass further for Asensio.

Doubts before the Champions League

But it was a sham advance for Paris, far too fragile to the slightest rapid action from the Alsatians, and uninspired in attack.

The reduction in the score of Dilane Bakwa (68th), completely forgotten at the far post after a good cross from Ângelo, seemed in the direction of the match.

The goalkeepers of the two clubs then got into action, Bellaarouch stopping a shot from Fabian Ruiz just before Donnarumma pulled out all the stops, following a loss of the ball by the Spaniard near his area. (69ᵉ).

Strasbourg even had the match point in added time, when Abakar Sylla placed a too-soft header in front of the cages.

Beyond a collective which fails to gain momentum while the long-awaited deadline of the Champions League is fast approaching, several individuals are not at the level in Paris.

That the start of Manuel Ugarte’s season seems far away… The Uruguayan was transparent before being the first Parisian to leave (54th), replaced by Vitinha, and his friend in midfield Fabian Ruiz did not shine either . In defense, Carlos Soler, who continues his freelance on the right side while awaiting the return of Achraf Hakimi from CAN, disappointed again. On the attacking front, Kolo Muani struggled without success.

Paris therefore leaves with victory but also some doubts.