Paris sets the Parc ablaze with comeback win
After a difficult match marked by a number of setbacks, Paris Saint-Germain pulled themselves out of the jaws of defeat to beat Lille 4-3 on the 24th match day of Ligue 1. We take a look back at a very exciting victory.
A new game at an unusual time in the midst of this busy schedule: that is what our Parisians were facing on this winter Sunday. Fighting on all fronts, the Red and Blue were as determined as ever. But little did they know the crazy script that awaited them. To take on LOSC, Christophe Galtier decided to count on the return of a certain Kylian Mbappé at kick-off alongside Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi, in addition to Presnel Kimpembe, at the other end of the field.
Once the stage was set, Christophe Galtier's men got stuck into an intense battle and a very competitive, tough and tactical match. LOSC, a quality opponent, were not afraid of attacking from the outset. To avoid the trap set by the northern team, the Red and Blue had to show personality at all levels: togetherness in recovering the ball, speed and creativity in its use, but also a great Gigio Donnarumma who was active in the early minutes. It was enough to get our Parisians going, who also put the pressure on their opponents, in the form of a sparkling Neymar Jr.
All that was missing in this finely balanced game was a spark. The No.10 perfectly launched the magician Kylian Mbappé into orbit... Down the left side, Kylian took on two opponents, nutmegged one of them and then finished (1-0, 12'). Artwork. A strong spell that was then consolidated with another goal. This time, it was the passer, Neymar Jr, who became the scorer by poking home at the end of a quick attack (2-0, 17').
The away side, led by the impressive Jonathan David, began to fight back and although Gigio Donnarumma continued his fine form (19'), the goalkeeper could do nothing about Diakite's header (2-1, 24'). A first big blow, before an onslaught of them, with Nuno Mendes going off injured (31'), followed by Neymar Jr on a stretcher (50')... and a penalty, extremely harsh, converted by David (2-2, 58')... It was a terrible sequence that continued with a third Lille goal from Jonathan Bamba (2-3, 69').
Supported, again and again, by the love of a Parc that is as passionate at lunchtime as it is on its greatest evenings, the Parisians never gave up. They had to resist, defend with sacrifice despite the rising pressure, whilsy attempting to salvage the game... Who else than Kylian Mbappé to snatch, at the end of all this, a goal that would have been enough for a draw (3-3, 87')? It was a moment of joy before the ecstasy that topped it all off. Completely revived, the Red and Blue finally found the resources to force their destiny: Leo Messi scored a masterful free-kick in the last seconds to set the Parc on fire (4-3, 90'+5). The touch of a genius.
In this difficult match against a tough opponent, and despite two injuries and a penalty... Paris managed to rise from the ashes to snatch a victory and thus maintain their lead at the top of the league. A precious lead with one week to go before a crucial match against their rivals, in a highly anticipated Classique against Marseille.