A hard-fought victory for the Parisians against Nice!
Paris Saint-Germain were victorious against Nice this Saturday night in matchday 24 of Ligue 1. Take a look at how it went down!
After the Coupe de France in Caen, Paris Saint-Germain were back in Ligue 1 action as they welcomed Nice to the Parc des Princes on the day of Chinese new year. Mauricio Pochettino was able to count on Keylor Navas' return and lined up a starting eleven led by an attacking quartet of Icardi-Kean-Mbappé-Draxler.
We didn't have to wait long to see the Rouge et Bleu's intent, who were actually wearing a pink and purple kit this Saturday in the fourth kit's first outing. With a high defensive line and a good press Mauricio Pochettino's men quickly tried to suffocate the Aiglons as was shown by a dangerous Kylian Mbappé (3', 19'). It was finally Julian Draxler who broke the deadlock! After Mauro Icardi's attempt hit the post the German international was first to react and knock the ball into the back of the net (1-0, 22').
The French champions were also capable of dealing with a free flowing Nice side when called upon. Keylor Navas was solid and Paredes opening up the play with fantastic outside of the boot passes. The defending champions fought back, Kylian Mbappé and his teammates then set upon keeping the lead and the number seven was close to doubling the lead (39'), and the other end of the pitch, Gouiri missed the target with his attempt (42').
After the break the Niçois came back stronger and more determined and pushed the Parisians further back into the own half. A period of pressure crowned off by Rony Lopes, who took advantage of a moment of confusion in the Parisian defence to equalise (1-1, 50'). The game then changed once more and the game became end to end as Navas and Benitez were both forced to make saves. Notably as the Costa rican made the save from close range (61')… With their backs against the wall the club de la capitale did find a second lease of life to change the tide. And it was thanks to the Icardi-Kean duo. After latching onto a great lay off from the Argentine, the Italian striker Kean hammered the ball home to give his side the lead once more (2-1, 78'). A goal that made everyone breathe a sigh of relief!
Without being able to extend the lead Pochettino's men carried on fighting to maintain the narrow lead and win this crucial game in the race for the title (2-1). Paris Saint-Germain continued their run of wins before the trip to Barcelona on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
