Paris held at Reims

Match reports

Despite dominating from the off, Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Reims in Ligue 1 Matchday 5 action on Saturday 21 September 2024.

Three days after their UEFA Champions League opener - an emotional victory over Girona - Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 action with a trip to the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Saturday evening. The objective? Continue their perfect start to the season and pick up a fifth win from as many games.

Post-UCL, Luis Enrique decided to rotate his squad. Safonov in goal, again to make up for Donnarumma's absence, with Beraldo on the left and Warren Zaïre-Emery on the right, flanking Captain Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. Lee was placed in midfield alongside Neves and Vitinha, while Doué celebrated his first start for PSG, in a front three with Barcola and Kolo Muani.

In a hybrid system with a lot of permutations, the Parisians were the first to make their presence felt, with Lee's well-timed run taking the opposition defence by surprise - but the Korean was flagged for offside (3'). Les Rouge et Bleu were strong in possession, but they were caught out by Reims' first counter-attack. Nakamura latched onto a cross from his compatriot Ito, and the Japanese forward took two bites to beat Matvey Safonov and put the hosts in front (1-0, 9').

Stung into action, the Parisians reacted. Barcola turned ball-winner, pick-pocketing Ito to get his side on the front foot. Neves then played Kolo Muani in with a ball over the top of the defence, but the Parisian striker was caught as he ran in behind Agbadou - an infringement not penalised by Jérémie Pignard (17'). The Parisians continued to look dangerous, with Kolo Muani feeding Doué, who crossed to Lee right on the penalty spot. But the Korean’s crisp left-footed shot was miraculously parried by Diouf to keep the home side in front (21').

Kolo Muani, again in the spotlight, then sent in a low, curling cross that flew past everyone - including Barcola, who was a little too short to get his shot past Diouf (29'). The Reims goalkeeper then got a hand to Doué's heavy shot - which came after he had skinned three opponents on the left flank - but Diouf parried onto the base of his post (35'). With seven shots, four on target and 80% possession up to that point, the Parisians were doing everything they could to get back on level terms, dominating the match to the hilt.

There was no time for complacency, and the second half got underway with the Parisians showing the same determination as they had in the first. Lee sent in a curling cross to Barcola, who rose highest but fired wide (55'). Agbadou then sent a shiver through the Parisian ranks with an electric effort that skimmed the top corner of Safonov's frame (60').

However, when it comes to thrills, we have an expert in the field: Ousmane Dembélé. Our star forward came off the bench and, in trademark fashion, made an immediate impact. Latching onto Neves’ curling cross, Dembélé fired home from close range - and from a seemingly impossible angle - leaving Diouf helpless at the foot of his upright (1-1, 68')! After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was validated and the Parisians were back in the game! That’s four goals in five games for the Rouge et Bleu No.10, more than his total of three league goals from all of last season.

Dembélé then came close to turning the evening on its head - his new specialty - from another Neves cross, but his header flew wide of the mark (82'). The Parisians tried to push on for the win right to the end, with a series of corners in the dying moments bringing the arena to its feet. However, the final attempt came from Sangui, who sent the ball over Safonov's crossbar on a last-ditch counter-attack that could have proven devastating for the Parisians (90'+7).

It was a frustrating draw, despite the fact that Paris gave their all and did everything they could to come away from Champagne country with all three points. The defensive strength of their opponents simply got the upper hand on the Parisians’ drive and spirit. Les Rouge et Bleu are still unbeaten this season, however, and have now played 27 consecutive away games without defeat - the longest unbeaten run in the history of the league.

TICKETS FOR PSG-RENNES

Next up, Luis Enrique and his men have a full week to concentrate on Rennes' visit on Friday, before the first European trip of the season, to London, to take on Arsenal in what promises to be a terrific clash!