Paris Saint-Germain's hard-work, determination and commitment was rewarded with a 3-1 victory away to Montpellier in Round 21 of Ligue 1, a result that sees them extend their lead at the top of the standings to five points!
It was a hungry Paris Saint-Germain side that travelled to the Hérault region of France looking to kick-start a new run of victories. With a busy fixture list, and without the services of Neymar Jr, Marco Verratti, Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele, coach Christophe Galtier went with a new-look side and Vitinha in the playmaking role behind Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Christophe Galtier's men started the game well. Full of running, pressing high and looking to get on the front foot, the capital club took the game to their in-form opponents, who were up for the challenge of knocking off the league leaders.
There’s no denying it: despite their best intentions, the planets were simply not aligned in the first half to help our squad. After Kylian Mbappé hit the post from the penalty spot (10’), the number 7 was forced off with injury (21’), before Sergio Ramos joined him on the half-hour (30’). Paris still looked to have taken the lead shortly after, only for Leo Messi's goal to be chalked off for offside (35’)... Despite absorbing some intense pressure on their own goal, the home side resisted until the half-time break.
Yet, in the face of such adversity, Paris Saint-Germain kept coming in search of the victory. After Achraf Hakimi was denied yet another wonderful goal by the narrowest of offsides (51’), it was Fabian Ruiz that finally broke the deadlock to turn home his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain after a goal-mouth scramble (0-1, 55’).
The goal scorer than turned provider for the unstoppable Leo Messi! Running onto a visionary pass, the World Cup winner controlled and dinked the ball past Lecomte with breath-taking and frightening ease (0-2, 71’). Nordin reduced the arrears for the hosts in the final minutes (2-1, 89’), but it only served to motivate the visitors to look for more.
After exchanging passes with the excellent Achraf Hakimi, ‘titi’ Warren Zaïre-Emery finished the evening with a wonderful strike to become the club’s youngest ever goal scorer (1-3, 90+3’)! It was an unforgettable moment for the club’s youth academy graduate.
The win sees the champions re-establish their five-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings ahead of this Saturday’s visit of Toulouse to the Parc des Princes.