In a tight encounter in which the Rouge et Bleu managed to equalise before taking the lead in the dying moments, Paris Saint-Germain beat RC Lens 1-2 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday evening. Here's a look back at a dramatic victory that enabled the Parisians to extend their incredible run in the league.
Just three days after reaching the last 16 of the Coupe de France against FC Espaly (2-4), Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 action on Matchday 18 against RC Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. It's familiar ground for the Parisians, as the Rouge et Bleu played here less than a month ago when they eliminated the Sang & Or on penalties in the Coupe de France.
In a bid to repeat the feat at Lens, Luis Enrique decided to field a three-man central defence with Lucas Beraldo, Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez in front of goal, guarded by the captain for the evening: Gigio Donnarumma. Nuno Mendes started on the left while Warren Zaïre-Emery took his place on the right, making his 100th first-team appearance. The Fabian Ruiz/Vitinha duo then supported the attacking trio of Bradley Barcola, Lee Kang-In and Désiré Doué.
As is often the case, the Rouge et Bleu took advantage of the first quarter of an hour to take control of the ball and impose their rhythm. However, the well-organised Nordistes were playing well and preventing the capital club from getting close to Hervé Koffi's goal. Fabian Ruiz tried his luck from 25 metres out, and his vicious shot forced the Burkina Faso keeper to save (13'). Les Lensois then tried to hit back, but Lucas Hernandez made a last-ditch tackle (25').
Little by little, the home side began to get their heads above the parapet in the electric atmosphere of the Bollaert. With their first shot of the game, Will Still's men took the lead through M'Bala Nzola, who took advantage of a ball falling to him at the far post to fire past Donnarumma with his left foot (1-0, 36'). At the end of a fairly tight first half, it was Lens who went into the break with a one-goal lead.
Paris attacked the second half with better intentions, and once again forced RCL to defend in their own half. Despite giving themselves a scare when they conceded a second goal, which was rightly disallowed for offside (57'), Luis Enrique's side were rewarded with an equaliser when Fabian Ruiz slotted home perfectly with his right foot after being set up by Bradley Barcola (1-1, 59'). On the hour mark, the two teams found themselves level. The Parisians' confidence was boosted by their equaliser, and they were determined to push on for victory, while the Sang & Or were prepared to redouble their efforts to regain the lead.
But as the final quarter-hour approached, it was the Rouge et Bleu who looked the more threatening. Following a link-up with Gonçalo Ramos, Désiré Doué unleashed a blistering shot that struck Koffi in the face (78'). It was a warning before the punishment for the northerners, who remained powerless in the face of Bradley Barcola coming in from the left. Driving into the area, he finished with a powerful shot that, helped by the bar, rattled the Lens net for the second time of the evening (1-2, 87'). The Sang & Or then threw everything they had into the battle until the final minute, when Gigio Donnarumma made a decisive save from Przemyslaw Frankowski (90'+4).
At the end of a hard-fought encounter, Paris Saint-Germain notched up another emphatic victory to move 10 points clear of Marseille, who have a game in hand. Now it's on to the Champions League and a huge challenge for the Rouge et Bleu, who take on Manchester City next Wednesday in the penultimate round of league matches. This crucial European fixture will be played at the Parc des Princes, with kick-off at 9pm. The countdown is on.