Late Strasbourg rally denies PSG
THE GAME
A raucous crowd at the Stade de la Meinau welcomed newly crowned champions Paris Saint-Germain for their first game since winning their tenth Ligue 1 title Uber Eats last weekend.
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In the build-up to the game, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted he didn’t expect his side to be complacent in their last four league games, but that plan fell through at the third minute thanks to a familiar face.
To take off
Former PSG striker Kevin Gameiro latched on to Lucas Perrin’s through ball and fired past Gianluigi Donnarumma from close range to put the hosts in front.
It was all too easy for the 35-year-old, who edged and overtook Presnel Kimpembe with relative ease under the dismayed gaze of Pochettino.
The goal raises the roof of the Meinau and the men of Julien Stéphan feed on the noise of the stands. PSG were lucky not to fall further behind when Adrien Thomasson’s deflected shot found the net, but it was flagged for offside (9th).
Defensively, PSG were everywhere despite deploying a back three consisting of Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Kimpembe. But Strasbourg’s pressing was too much for PSG’s lackluster start as they sought the three points to bolster their Champions League qualification hopes.
PSG quickly found second gear and rose to the challenge. With their first grade chance, champions leveled up.
Mbappe to the rescue
A sumptuous defensive pass from Neymar found the rush of Kylian Mbappé who then made no mistake on seven meters, to score his 23rd goal of the season (23rd).
Both teams had the chance to take the lead before the break, Neymar passing from close range (31st) before Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s thunderous strike went just inches from the bar for Strasbourg (43rd).
Sanjin Prcic came very close to the Alsatians at the start of the second half when his soft shot cruelly missed the target (56th).
The champions regained control and took the lead in the 64th minute when Mbappé faced Achraf Hakimi, and the Morocco international made no mistakes from six yards out.
PSG received a gift four minutes later when Mbappé took advantage of a poor back pass from Alexander Djiku and the 23-year-old found the bottom corner to further extend the visitors’ advantage.
To defend oneself
Pochettino’s men were in cruise control mode, at least in appearance, and suddenly Strasbourg repelled a goal when Habib Diallo’s header thwarted Donnarumma via the outstretched leg of Marco Verratti (75th).
Strasbourg mobilized for the equalizer and in the last moments obtained its just reward when an anarchic Anthony Caci took up a volley to score a vital point (90 ‘).
The result sees PSG extend their unassailable lead at the top to 14 points, while Strasbourg climb provisionally to fifth.
THE PLAYER: Kylian Mbappé
There are few superlatives left to describe the Frenchman. Once again, Mbappé saved his teammates with magic moments while adding two goals and an assist to his tally for the season. Another world-class performance from PSG’s most important player.
THE STAT: 130
Kylian Mbappé scored his 130th and 131st goals in Ligue 1 Uber Eats in the draw with Strasbourg. Only Edinson Cavani scored more in the top flight this century (138).