Paris must wait

The match:
At around four hours before kick-off, and Lille’s 1-1 draw with Reims, Paris Saint-Germain knew that they had the chance to officially secure the title with a win against Strasbourg...
But at the end of 93 passionate minutes, Les Rouge et Bleu will have to wait another week. Set up by Colin Dagba, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting opened the scoring from close range (1-0, 13’), as the home side dominated the early exchanges. But the league’s third-best attack hit back: Da Costa side-footed home (1-1, 26’). Paris had a chance immediately when Christopher Nkunku lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper, only for Choupo-Moting to stop the ball on the line (28’). Then, as half-time approached, Gonçalves latched onto a clearance from a corner and fired Racing in front (1-2, 38’). For the first time this season in Ligue 1, Les Rouge et Bleu were trailing at home at the break.

After the restart, Juan Bernat (54’) set the tone with shot at goal as Paris Saint-Germain upped the ante. Julian Draxler and Kylian Mbappé came on (60’) as Paris went on the attack. Marco Verratti was running the show (116 possessions) and Dani Alves saw his bicycle kick come back of the crossbar (69’)! Paris have hit the woodwork 18 times this season… And when it wasn’t the crossbar, it was Sels, in the visitors’ goal who denied Mbappé (81’, 85’). Between the two, Thilo Kehrer headed the two sides level (2-2, 82’), to set up a grandstand finish. Dani Alves fired just wide (90+2’)… The final whistle confirmed that Strasbourg left the capital with a point and Paris have to wait at least another week for their eighth Ligue 1 crown…

A Parisian in the match: Thilo Kehrer
5 minutes after coming on (77’), Thilo struck! The German climbed higher than everyone in the box to meet Draxler’s corner, to equalise (82’) and it was game on. The young Germany international has now been involved in three goals in his last three L1 matches (1 goal, 2 assists).

The word: First!
The Parc was hoping to see the end of the Ligue 1 title race… but instead they enjoyed an evening of firsts! Yes, Thilo Kehrer scored his first goal, but 70 minutes earlier, Colin Dagba provided his first assist in L1… for Choupo-Moting to score his first home goal of the season in the 13th minute.

Next up:
Symbolically, Paris will have a second chance to secure the Ligue 1 title when they take on second place Lille next Sunday (21:00) at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. A summit clash that could see the championship decided!