PSG, hooked by Le Havre, still has to wait to celebrate its title

Cold shower on the Parc des Princes. Under heavy rain, Paris Saint-Germain stalled on Saturday April 27 evening against Le Havre, conceding a draw (3-3) which mathematically delayed its coronation as champion of France.

A victory against the Normans, who are fighting to maintain their position, would have crowned the Parisian club champion for the twelfth time in its history, and would have launched it calmly towards the first round of the Champions League semi-final scheduled for Wednesday against the Germans. of Borussia Dortmund − soundly beaten 4-1 by Leipzig on Saturday afternoon. But this draw forces Paris to hope that Monaco, second, does not beat Lyon on Sunday, to finally confirm a title which leaves no shadow of doubt given the lead the club has over its runner-up.

Saturday evening, in a Parc des Princes ready for an announced party, Luis Enrique’s men, who had already seen their coronation already delayed on Wednesday when Monaco beat Lille, complicated their task and did not have full confidence hoped for before their European meeting. But they showed character.

Read also | Ligue 1: Monaco delays the coronation of Paris Saint-Germain

Gaps in defense

Trailing 3-1 less than a quarter of an hour from the end of the match, the capital club, which remained on an easy victory in Lorient on Wednesday (4-1) and against Lyon last Sunday (4-1), snatched a draw at the very end of the match thanks to Gonçalo Ramos (3-3, 90+5).

The defense showed many gaps and was pierced too easily, in particular because of Lucas Berlado and Danilo, too slow and passive on the first two Le Havre goals. Lonely on the left, Christopher Opéri was not bothered to adjust Kaylor Navas with a cross shot (1-0, 19e), while ex-Marseillais André Ayew easily got rid of Danilo with a hook before following up perfectly with a powerful shot (2-1, 38e).

Danilo is also responsible for Le Havre’s third goal because he caused the penalty after an unnecessary foul on Loïc Nego in his area. The penalty was transformed by Abdoulaye Touré (3-1, 61e).

Mbappé replacing then discreet

Fans of turnover in Ligue 1, especially with the decisive matches which follow one another, Luis Enrique, in the running for a Championship – Cup – Champions League treble, will certainly not line up the same defense on Wednesday, preferring to start Nuno Mendes and Lucas Hernandez, rested on Saturday just like goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and midfielder Fabian Ruiz. Kylian Mbappé, who returned at half-time and was very discreet on his left side for his penultimate match in Ligue 1 at the Parc, fought at the end of the match but was not decisive.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Luis Enrique, character and “remontada” coach, appointed to PSG

The Parisians first equalized (1-1, 29e) following a recovery from Warren Zaire-Emery, author of a decisive pass to celebrate his extension in Paris until 2029 towards Bradley Barcola, who scored his third goal in L1 this season. They reduced the gap following good work from Gonçalo Ramos in the middle, who served Achraf Hakimi (3-2, 78e). The Portuguese center forward, who had missed an equalizing ball a few minutes later in front of goalkeeper Arthur Desmas, equalized with a powerful and well-placed header, lifting the Parc in added time and avoiding a second defeat in the league this season at PSG.

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For their part, the people of Le Havre, who may harbor regrets, are no longer roadblockers and have temporarily returned to 15e place (29 points), tied with Metz which hosts Lille on Sunday.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Ligue 2: Le Havre returns to Ligue 1, the work of Mathieu Bodmer

The World with AFP

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